United States House of Representatives
The 118th Congress (2023-2024) Republican leadership has reelected Virginia Foxx of North Carolina as Chairwoman of the Education and Workforce Committee. Other members will be appointed in days to the committee.
Chairwoman Foxx is viewed as possessing a very conservative voting record and is a supporter of school choice including homeschooling.
Pennsylvania
Executive Branch
- On January 17, 2023, Josh Shapiro took the oath of office for Governor of the Commonwealth.
- His first executive order was to remove a college degree requirement for thousands of state positions.
- On January 17, 2023, Austin Davis took the oath of office for Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
- Governor Shapiro has nominated Dr. Khalid Mumin for Secretary of Education. He has served as Superintendent of the Lower Merion School District.
General Assembly
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- House Republicans and some House Democrats elected Mark Rozzi, a moderate Democrat, to hold the position of Speaker of the House. He has pledged to be an “independent speaker.” Only time will tell, and the Pennsylvania House is in flux. Special elections are on February 7, 2023. Mark Rozzi has ordered the doors to the House to be locked when the House is not in session.
- As of Friday night, January 28, 2023, the members of the Education Committee and its leadership have not been revealed.
Pennsylvania Senate
- The Senate Education Committee has David Argall (R) as its Chair, and the minority Chair is Lindsey Williams (D).
- Vice Chair is Doug Mastriano (R). A longtime member of the Committee is Ryan Aument (R).
- Also serving on the Committee is long time member Anthony Williams (D).
- Senate Bill 84, First consideration. It is a bill to protect the First Amendment right to Freedom of Religious Expression for public school teachers, so they be permitted to wear any, garb, mark, emblem, or insignia that would indicate a member or adherent of a religious order.