Cold Outside but Warm Inside – A Productive Visit to Washington

Last Tuesday and Wednesday, Julie Feasel and I braved the frigid temperatures and high winds in Washington for two days of meetings with bipartisan leadership offices in the United States Senate to advocate for our shared priorities. Although it was cold outside, the reception was warm and cheerful, and we had incredibly productive and positive conversations. There’s something uniquely energizing about walking the halls of Capitol Hill with a clear purpose: advocating for students, educators, and public schools.

Senate Meetings

Tuesday began in the Russell Senate Office Building, an ornate landmark that was the first office space for U.S. Senators outside the Capitol. Our first meeting was with Mimi Vance, Legislative Assistant to Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), who chairs the Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education Subcommittee on Appropriations, which is responsible for funding federal investments in education. Next, we met with Alex Hsi, Legislative Aide for Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Our last stop before lunch was with Riley Larson, Legislative Assistant to Republican Caucus Chair Tom Cotton (R-AR), where we learned about the Senator’s bipartisan legislation to help schools manage cell phone use.

After a quick planning lunch, we headed to the Hart Senate Office Building — home to Alexander Calder’s iconic “Mountains & Clouds” sculpture—to meet with Rolance Yun, a Legislative Fellow and former teacher with Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL). Next, we visited Max Hurst, Senior Policy Advisor to Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chair of the Democratic Steering & Policy Committee. Along with a robust policy conversation, we also had the chance to see some fascinating historical artifacts from famous Minnesota Senators. Our final meeting of the day was with Patrick Minihan, Legislative Aide to Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-SD).

Bright and early Wednesday morning, we met with Mark Laisch, longtime Education Policy Advisor to Democrats on the Senate Appropriations Committee—and a familiar face at our COSSBA Federal Advocacy Conferences. Between Capitol Hill meetings, I also met with Ray Hart, Executive Director of the Council of Great City Schools. COSSBA is stronger when we collaborate with other national organizations, and I’m excited to continue working with Ray and his team to advocate for public education.

Education Funding

Across both Republican and Democratic offices, there was broad agreement that sustained investment in education is essential for workforce readiness, economic growth, and national competitiveness. We thanked the Senate offices for their bipartisan efforts to fund education. We discussed how we could help advance the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2026 Education Funding Bill, which includes a modest but essential increase. We also highlighted the need for predictability so that local districts can plan their budgets with confidence, a point echoed in the Senate bill.

Flexibility for Federal Tax Credits

We also focused on the pending regulations for the new scholarship tax credit included in H.R. 1, the budget reconciliation bill passed this summer. As the Treasury Department finalizes implementation rules, we emphasized that for most families, public school is their school of choice. The regulations should therefore allow flexible and robust use of the credit for public education, as outlined in H.R. 1. These programs could benefit public school students through investments in wraparound supports, tutoring, after-school programs, and, especially, in rural communities where public schools are often the only option. Nearly every office we met with agreed on the importance of flexibility and on giving states authority to enforce reasonable guardrails to ensure tax dollars are well spent.

H-1B Visas and Talent Retention

Finally, we discussed the potential impact of the new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas, especially its effect on efforts to address shortages of highly specialized educators across many member states. Once again, we found widespread understanding and support. Staffers recognized that H-1B educators have played a crucial role, particularly in rural communities, and shared that they’re hearing similar concerns from local districts.

Partnership Matters

During every meeting, I emphasized that COSSBA is here to help and serve as a resource. The staff we met with asked detailed questions, requested stories and data from our members, and showed genuine interest in partnering to understand better how federal policy affects schools locally. These meetings reinforced the importance of advocacy and the key role of constructive engagement and collaboration in advancing policy.

Days like these remind us that progress often occurs quietly through conversation, cooperation, and shared commitment to children's betterment. It also highlights why it’s so vital for me to regularly visit Washington: to ensure COSSBA’s voice remains prominent in the national education dialogue.

I’m already looking forward to my next trip, hopefully when the weather outside is as warm as the people we meet inside.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year! 

Sincerely,

Dr. Kathy McFarland