BALTIMORE – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Maryland’s senior senator, released the following statement as local schools begin the 2023-2024 academic year.

“Education opens doors to greater opportunity, which makes back-to-school season one of my favorites. I want to wish all the Maryland students and educators who are heading back to school today and in the coming weeks the very best for a dynamic and productive school year in a safe and supportive environment. Students in every corner of our state, regardless of zip code, deserve an accessible, high-quality education and educators who have the training and resources to meet their needs.

 

“As your senator, I consider it my responsibility to work at the federal level to support state and local community leaders to create an atmosphere in which students can grow into responsible citizens, accomplished academics, revolutionary scientists, and changemakers in any field that draws them. To empower our young people, we sincerely must address the issues that disrupt their ability to learn, chief among them being gun violence, food insecurity and a lack of reliable internet access.

 

“Last year’s passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act broke the decades-long gridlock on gun safety, allocating funding for community violence intervention and prevention initiatives, as well as school-based mental health service providers. Still, Congress must advance more legislative solutions, from banning assault weapons to strengthening background checks to ending gun manufacturers’ immunity from liability. IN addition, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act invests $65 billion in broadband infrastructure, including funding for planning, deployment, and adoption, with dedicated funding to focus on improving digital equity. While the expanded access to free school meals established during the COVID-19 pandemic has expired, I support President Biden’s efforts to build on that progress and ensure access to free healthy school meals for all students. In one of the richest countries in the world, no student should be in the classroom hungry.

 

“Education is the bedrock of our society and educators are heroes of public service. Together, we can ensure our students are on the right track for greater learning and personal success.”