Education

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) is pleased to announce the passage of her legislation to ease the process of applying for federal financial aid for students in Washington state and nationwide – the Faster Access for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Act. The bill passed in the House of Representatives as part of the Future Act. DelBene’s legislation, which has a companion bill introduced in the Senate by HELP Committee Chair and Ranking Member Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Patty Murray (D-WA... Read more

Last night, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) announced that Alex Winestock of Redmond High School won the 2019 Congressional Art Competition for Washington’s first congressional district. Alex Winestock won with her colored pencil and watercolor piece titled, “Devoid of Emotion.” DelBene joined participants and parents at a reception at VALA Eastside in Kirkland, where three local artists judged the competition. Alex Winestock’s artwork will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol for one year. “The... Read more

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) accepted her nomination as Co-Chair of this year’s Congressional App Challenge. The post was previously held by Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA). “As someone who built a career in tech, I am thrilled to help lead this national competition and to see up close the incredible ideas students from all across the country will bring to the table. STEM careers play a critical role in our 21st century economy and this competition serves a great opportunity for students to... Read more

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) introduced the Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act of 2018 (H.R. 5997), a bill that would guarantee Medicare beneficiaries access to cutting edge medical innovation. Her bipartisan legislation is cosponsored by Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL), Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-CA). Currently, Medicare does not automatically cover the latest advances in medical technology. This is true eve... Read more

Last night, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene announced that Nicole Carpenter, a sophomore from Lake Washington High School, won the 2018 Congressional Art Competition. DelBene joined students, parents and teachers from across Washington’s First District at VALA Eastside in Redmond for a ceremony honoring all of this year’s participants. Carpenter’s winning piece is titled “Peace Within,” created with ink and watercolor. It will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol along with other winning ar... Read more

KIRKLAND & REDMOND – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today visited local elementary schools to join students in making Valentines for Veterans – a program that encourages the community to recognize veterans throughout the year. “The Valentines for Veterans program is a wonderful opportunity for our local students to make a connection with a veteran and thank these brave men and women for their service,” DelBene said. “We can all show our appreciation for those who served our country in unifo... Read more

BOTHELL – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) held a hackathon over the weekend for local high school students as part of the Congressional App Competition, a program to encourage innovation and computer science education. “As someone who worked in the technology sector before coming to Congress, I know firsthand that innovation requires creative, entrepreneurial leaders. The future of our nation and its economy depend on the next generations being able to think outside of the box. This competit... Read more

Dear Friend, As students return to campus, the rising cost of higher education in America continues to pose serious challenges to millions of middle-class families, who are being forced to take out higher loan amounts to pay for tuition, fees, textbooks and housing. In Washington state alone, 56 percent of graduates leave their four-year university with student debt averaging $23,000. I remain committed to bringing down college costs and ensuring everyone has access to a quality college educatio... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) reintroduced bipartisan legislation today to help college students save money on textbooks by encouraging the use of low-cost or free digital course materials in higher education. “An often overlooked driver of the rising cost of college is textbooks and supplies. In addition to tackling tuition hikes and burdensome student loan debt, we must find solutions to the other factors making a college degree less attainable for working families,” D... Read more

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) joined Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) Thursday in introducing the Child Care for Working Families Act, which would ensure families can afford high-quality early learning and child care opportunities. “It is our nation’s responsibility to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed, no matter where they live or how much their family makes, and that starts with high-quality child care and early learning," said DelBene in a statement.... Read more