This month, students and teachers throughout the Lehigh Valley will wrap up their summer breaks and head back to school.

While this is a very exciting time for everyone, it also brings with it new headlines, stories, and legislation about Republican extremists trying to ban books and school curriculum.

While Republicans fight over which books are allowed in school libraries, I know there are much bigger issues facing our education system – our students and teachers are fearing for their lives in the wake of gun violence, our teachers are underpaid, and the average American can’t afford higher education.

I have been a proud member of the Education and Labor Committee since my first term in Congress, and I promise to continue fighting to better our education system for all Americans, regardless of their zip code or background.

If you agree, I hope you’ll consider contributing to my re-election campaign to ensure I can keep up this fight in Congress next year and beyond: