Roger F. Wicker has represented Mississippi in the United States Senate since December 2007. During his time in the Senate, Wicker has championed pro-growth policies to create jobs, limit federal overreach, protect life, and maintain a strong national defense.
Wicker is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for the 117th Congress. He served as chairman of the full committee during the 116th Congress after previously serving as the chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet.
Wicker is the second-highest ranking Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. His other committee assignments include the Environment and Public Works Committee; and the Rules and Administration Committee.
I am the father of three children who graduated from the Tupelo public school system and went on to public universities. I understand the important role education plays in our children’s futures and in our state’s economic development, and I believe education should be a top priority for any elected official. It is important to make sure the federal government is playing a constructive role in our education system and not building an inflexible, unworkable bureaucracy.
I believe the federal government should place an emphasis on education, but most decisions should be left to parents and state or local officials. Whatever steps we take on a national level must empower local school administrators, teachers, and parents to make the best decisions for their students and children. It is important that state and local governments maintain the flexibility needed to direct funding to the greatest needs in their community.