Education

I went through public schools, started at community college, and made my way to UCLA. Like so many students, I walked out with a degree and a stack of student loans. That debt followed me into the start of my career and shaped choices I had to make about work, family, and my future. I know firsthand how heavy that burden feels when you’re just trying to get your life moving.

That’s why I fight to make sure students can pursue higher education without being crushed by debt. I’ve already turned that experience into action—passing a law to make years of student loan forgiveness tax free, and introducing legislation to make that relief permanent. Here’s what I’ve done, and what I’m working on next.

Student Debt Cancellation

Our student loan debt crisis is well past the tipping point, and it's disproportionately affecting Black and Brown communities. That's why I'm a strong supporter of cancelling student loan debt so that no graduate is overburdened while starting their career.

I introduced a bill, H.R. 1564, which was included in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and signed into law, that would make any future student loan debt forgiveness tax-free. This critical legislation eliminated any extra burden on student borrowers. In the 34^th District alone, over a thousand borrowers were able to exclude from taxes $50 million in cancelled student loans. Unfortunately, Republicans chose to allow the provision to end in their Big Ugly Bill, undoing this critical tax benefit for borrowers who will have loans forgiven through income driven payment plans.

Enhanced Access to SNAP Act

I am the proud author of the Enhanced Access to SNAP Act (H.R. 4797), which would expand Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility to all college students attending 2- and 4-year universities who meet traditional SNAP income and eligibility requirements and eliminate burdensome “work for food” rules.

College for All Act

I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 2730, the College for All Act to eliminate tuition and fees at four-year public colleges and universities for families making up to $150,000 and make community college tuition- and fee-free for all.

Early Childhood and K-12 Education

I strongly support providing additional federal resources for early childhood and K-12 education. I am a proud cosponsor of the IDEA Full Funding Act (H.R. 4519), which would require the federal government to provide more funding for students with disabilities. In addition, I have advocated for increasing appropriations for the Head Start program so that more families can access preschool and early education programs.