John,

All across the United States, teachers put their hearts and souls into educating our kids and ensuring a brighter future for our country. Unfortunately, we haven’t treated their profession with the respect, or compensation, it deserves — and it’s led to a crisis for our nation’s future.

That’s why it’s time to give teachers a raise.

Far too often, educators struggle to make ends meet. They pay for school supplies out of their own pockets, earn below the national living wage, with near-constant assaults on their right to collectively bargain and vilification in right-wing media.

The pandemic only exacerbated what was already a crisis. Educators earn 20 percent less than similarly-qualified professions, and the salary gap between teachers and those with similar education levels is greater than in any other developed country.

Early childhood educators earn a national median wage of just $11.65 per hour. As teachers retire, the next generation is less likely to replace them due to the burden of student loans and the lack of fair compensation to live a quality life.

That’s why this week, I was proud to lead my colleagues in the House and Senate along with Senator Cory Booker by introducing The Respect, Advancement, and Increasing Support for Educators (RAISE) Act of 2022.

Add your name as an original citizen cosponsor of the RAISE Act so we can finally pay teachers what they deserve.

Among other things, the RAISE Act would provide refundable tax credits of up to $15,000 for educators, increase funding for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act’s Title II by $3 billion, and create and fund a federal grant program so local school boards and municipalities can draw from those funds to increase teacher salaries.

In short, a real raise for our teachers.

As Republicans wage a nationwide assault on the teaching profession, from banning books to threatening job termination with bills such as Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, it’s time for Congress to put our teachers first.

A quality education is the best investment in our nation’s future, and investing in teachers is how we can ensure our children have the best possible future as well.

So John, add your name as a citizen cosponsor of the RAISE Act as I introduce it in the House. I would be grateful to have your support.

Thanks,

Adam