President Obama called it a "Christmas miracle"

Just a few weeks ago, President Obama signed into law the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act, the education bill that replaces the flawed No Child Left Behind.

Serving on the bicameral, bipartisan committee that got this important piece of legislation over the finish line has been a highlight of my time in Congress. Some skeptics thought we couldn’t get it done, but we kept talking and working until we had policy that’s good for public education in the United States. When President Obama signed the bill, he said it was a “Christmas miracle.”

One of the reasons I ran for Congress was to replace No Child Left Behind with education policies that bring back the love of learning and give every student the opportunity to become an innovative problem solver and creative thinker. That’s good for student, teachers, and the economy.

We’ve made progress, but there’s more work ahead to make sure the next generation can prosper and thrive.

Next year, Congress will have the opportunity to do more. We can continue to strengthen public education and help make college be within reach for all students. There are bills we can pass to make college more affordable and help to ease the student loan debt burden that’s crushing too many college students and recent graduates.

And of course all students should be safe at school. There have been too many mass school shootings, including the recent tragedy in Oregon. Congress must take action. To start, we need to close loopholes that allow violent criminals to purchase guns. We can – and we must – do better. Parents should not have to fear sending their children to school, to the mall, or to the movies.

In Congress, I'll continue to work toward a better future for this generation and the next. Will you chip in $3 today to keep up the fight for a better world for the next generation?