President Biden’s FY2025 Budget prioritizes students, educators, and public schools

National Education Association President Becky Pringle released the following statement reacting to President Joe Biden’s 2025 budget proposal. The budget was released three years to the day after President Biden signed into law the largest federal investment in public education in history through the American Rescue Plan:

“All students, no matter their race, place or background, deserve leaders who will give them quality public schools where they can grow into their full brilliance. President Joe Biden’s budget shows that he values the voice of parents and educators and that his vision for this country is one where all students – Black and white, native and newcomer, Latino and AAPI - are always a top priority.

“President Biden’s budget continues historic investments in public education, including funding for IDEA, Title I, community schools, early childhood education, community colleges, and HBCUs and MSIs. He understands the issues facing students and families, which is why he is working to expand school-based mental health services by increasing the number of school counselors, nurses, and mental health professionals.

“President Biden’s budget would make progress on tax fairness, calling on the wealthiest Americans and large corporations to pay their fair share.

“President Biden knows that too many school communities and families have been impacted by gun violence, which is why his budget includes investments in making our schools and communities safer.

"And President Biden is working to make higher education more affordable and accessible by expanding Pell Grants, while also lifting the burden of crushing student debt. Since taking office, the Biden-Harris administration has canceled the student debt of nearly 4 million Americans, including almost 800,000 educators and public servants.

“On the third anniversary of the American Rescue plan, we are reminded of President Biden’s leadership in providing students the one-on-one help they need, enabling school districts to boost educator pay to address educator shortages, permitting schools to improve ventilation in classrooms by upgrading HVAC systems, and so much more. Now, through this budget, he again gives us a window into his values and continues to demonstrate that he is the most pro-public education president in modern history. The 3 million members of the National Education Association urge Congress to join President Biden in prioritizing students and families by building on the President’s fiscal year 2025 budget.”

 

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees.