García, Hayes, Grijalva, Casar Introduce Legislation to Raise National Minimum Wage for Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today,Representatives Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Greg Casar (TX-35), and Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07) joined by 22 colleagues introduced the Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act, which establishes a national minimum wage floor of $45,000 for full-time education paraprofessionals and education staff working in public K-12 schools. This bill, led in the Senate by Senator Ed. Markey (D-MA), recognizes the essential role that classroom aides, bus drivers, food service workers, custodians, and clerical staff play in keeping schools running and students safe. More than one-third of these workers earn under $25,000 a year. This bill will ensure that no one working full-time in a school earns poverty-level wages.

"Behind every successful school day, there is a team of workers you don't always see. They help students learn one-on-one, prepare their meals, provide safe rides to and from school, and keep the classrooms clean, yet sometimes they make less than $25,000 a year. The majority of these paraprofessionals and education support workers are women and people of color. This bill is about dignity and economic justice," said Congressman García. "It will ensure living wages, reduce staff turnover, and bring more stability and safety to our schools."

"Paraprofessionals provide crucial support to students and teachers in the classroom,"said Congresswoman Hayes. "I am pleased to co-lead the Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act, which increases wages for support staff and acknowledges their role in helping to create a positive learning environment. Some of the best ways we can support students is to invest in high quality education personnel and supportive environments."

"While Trump's billionaire buddies get millions in tax cuts, many paraprofessionals and education support staff across the country have to work multiple jobs just to survive," said Congressman Casar. "Support staff help our schools run effectively and keep students safe. Congress must invest more in public education - starting with raising their minimum wage and strengthening workplace standards."

"I am proud to co-lead the Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act,a vital measure to ensure that the staff who are the backbone of our nation's public education system are paid a living wage," said Congresswoman Grijalva. "Paraprofessionals and education support staff are essential public servants who provide services that keep our schools running and our students thriving. This legislation helps ensure that they are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve by providing compensation that reflects their importance to our students' academic success."

"Paraprofessionals and education support staff make our schoolssafe, healthy places where all students can learn, grow, and thrive. These educators are a critical part of our education infrastructure, and we must invest in them the way they invest in our students, their families, and their communities," said Senator Markey, lead Senate sponsor ofthe Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act. "As Trump and MAGA Republicans fight to cut public education and attack educators across the country, I am grateful for Rep. García, Rep. Hayes, Rep. Casar, and Rep. Grijalva's partnership on this legislation, which will uplift paraprofessionals and education support staff and give them the support and resources they need to succeed."

"Education Support Professionals strengthen our schools and communities by making sure our students are safe, healthy and ready to learn every day. But too many of these educators are forced to work two or three jobs to support their families, when one job should be enough. By passing the Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act, Congress will show they recognize and appreciate the invaluable contributions of our ESPs - both inside and outside the classroom. We want to thank Representatives García, Hayes, Casar and Grijalva for introducing this legislation, and we urge Congress to act swiftly in passing it to demonstrate to our Education Support Professionals that, as a nation, we respect and value all they do for our students," said National Education Association President Becky Pringle. "As the Trump administration continues to take a wrecking ball to public education and the futures of the 50 million students in rural, suburban, and urban communities across America, this legislation is more important than ever to ensure our students get the support they need."

The following members are original co-sponsors of the the Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act: Representatives Angie Craig (MN-02), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Andre Carson (IN-07), Judy Chu (CA-28), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Frederica Wilson (FL-24) and Danny Davis (IL-07).

The legislation is endorsed by the following organizations: National Education Association (NEA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

A summary of the bill can be found here.

A full copy of the bill can be found here.

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