Throughout my time in Washington, I have worked to tackle the crisis of student loan debt. In Wisconsin, the average student graduates with over $30,000 of debt. Our students must receive the best education possible to prepare them as future leaders of the country, but it's equally as important to provide students with the flexibility to earn a degree without taking on a mountain of debt.

For example, the University of Wisconsin (UW) is a leader in offering competency-based education (CBE). CBE offers students the opportunity to complete college credits in a much shorter amount of time by allowing them to learn at their own pace and often complete classes much more quickly, reducing the need to take out sizable student loans. Additionally, these classes are designed to deliver the same quality of results as traditional time-based education programs because students are still required to show a mastery of the course material.

This week, the House Education and the Workforce Committee held a hearing to identify issues within our education system and provide innovative solutions to improve the state of education in America. During the hearing, I asked Scott Pulsipher, President of Western Governors University, who also has a robust CBE program, to outline the benefits of CBE and explain why expanding CBE would lead to better outcomes for college students.

By allowing students to complete courses more quickly, it reduces their need to take out sizable student loans that could hinder their success later in life. If all universities followed UW's lead, we could begin to scale back the unsustainable amounts of debt that young Americans take on for a college education.

On Tuesday night, I was in attendance for President Biden's annual address to Congress, the State of the Union. As the United States faces multiple crises, such as inflation and the faltering economy, the humanitarian crisis at the Southern border, and rising crime rates, this address presented an opportunity for the President to bring our country together.

During the State of the Union, however, President Biden touted the trillions of dollars in spending he authorized, including the $1.9 trillion “COVID-relief” bill he signed into law in 2021 and the so-called "Inflation Reduction" Act the following year. He claimed that our economy is "strong" without taking responsibility for the nearly $5 trillion in authorized new spending that has led to the worst inflation since 1982 and over $7,000 in lost purchasing power for American families. As our national debt now towers above $31 trillion, it's time to work together to take steps to curb wasteful spending that led us into economic turmoil.

Additionally, President Biden spent far too little time addressing the border crisis and did not acknowledge that his policies have undermined our national security by encouraging illegal immigration. I am ready and willing to work with the White House in efforts to provide Border Patrol the essential resources and manpower needed to secure the Southern border, but the Biden Administration has not prioritized border security.

Although I feel President Biden missed the moment, we certainly share areas of agreement. This includes the need to lower prescription drug costs, particularly insulin. Moving forward, I’m optimistic that Congress can work with the White House in a bipartisan fashion to bolster our energy security, create new opportunities for Wisconsin workers and businesses, and prioritize the safety and security of the American people.