Election 2020 – a first look at the results from an afterschool policy perspective

Photo by Dan Dennis on Unsplash

As of the afternoon of November 6, there was yet to be a definitive result in the 2020 US election at the Presidential, Senate, or House levels. One clear conclusion, however, is that while there are deep divisions in the electorate and in the political system, there remains bipartisan support for afterschool and summer learning programs in rural, suburban, and urban communities – as evidenced most recently by the introduction last week of the 21st CCLC Coronavirus Relief Act by Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) – both who will be serving in the new 117th session of Congress next year and who are co-chairs of the Senate Afterschool Caucus.

As afterschool providers and the parents and children they serve digest the results and wait for resolution, many are grappling with how to handle the anxiety. The following resources may be useful:

• Election Resources to Support School Communities, San Diego County Office of Education election resources to support school communities
• ACT Now Election Resources for afterschool programs, ACT Now Illinois, No matter who you vote for or who wins, elections can be an extremely stressful time for youth, families
• Day After Election Guide, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, A Resource for K-12 Educators and Administrators

While votes continue to be counted, it is useful to take a look at what we do know from the 2020 federal election from an afterschool policy perspective.

Impact on the House of Representatives

It is expected that the House of Representatives will remain under Democratic control. House Democrats will hold their caucus leadership elections for the 117th Congress on November 18 and 19 and contested committee chairmanship elections the week of Nov. 30. While there are rumblings of discontent on the disappointing results of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is expected to continue on as Speaker. The Education and Labor Committee which has jurisdiction over many of the federal programs that support local afterschool and summer learning programs, such as Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community learning Centers (21st CCLC) and the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG), will likely continue to be chaired by Congressman Bobby Scott (D-Va.) who won re-election. Committee Ranking Member Virginia Foxx (R-NC) is also expected to continue in her position.

Another key committee for afterschool policy is the Appropriations Committee and the Labor, HHS, Education (LHHS) and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee in particular – which determine spending levels for education programs including those that fund afterschool. Appropriations Committee Chair, and House Afterschool Caucus Co-chair Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) is retiring at the end of the year. Her successor will be known by the end of the month, however a leading candidate for the position is Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), a long-time champion of afterschool programs and current chair of the LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee. On the Republican side, Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Kay Granger (R-Texas) won her re-election as did LHHS Subcommittee Ranking Member Tom Cole (R-Okla.). Both have supported increased funding for afterschool programs in the past.

In addition to the members mentioned above, a number of other House champions for afterschool and summer learning programs have either won their races or are currently ahead in their races as ballots continue to be tallied. The following have sponsored key afterschool legislation and/or helped secure additional funding for afterschool:

• Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.)
• Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.)
• Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.)
• Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.)
• Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nevada)
• Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.)
• Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.)
• Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.)
• Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska)

Rep. Donna Shalala (D-Fla.) who was a first term Congresswoman, member of the House LHHS Appropriations subcommittee and an afterschool champion lost her re-election bid.

One newly elected member of the House of Representatives to note for his education background is Jamaal Bowman (D-NY-16). A middle school principal and former classroom teacher, Bowman is a strong advocate for public schools which he made a key component of his campaign. He founded the Cornerstone Academy for Social Action, a public middle school in the Bronx. He has called for equitable investment in public schools, fair pay for teachers, and all schools having nurses, social workers, and counselors. He also supports removing punitive discipline from schools.  

Impact on the Senate

Control of the Senate remains up in the air - currently tied at 48 Democrats and 48 Republicans - with Senate races in North Carolina and Alaska favored to go to Republican incumbents but not yet called. The two remaining seats are the pair of Georgia Senate seats which will both go to runoff elections to be held Jan 6th. If the Senate ends in a 50 to 50 tie, the Vice President would break the tie to determine control of the Senate. 

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, which has jurisdiction over education and afterschool, will have a new Chair with current Chairman Lamar Alexander retiring at the end of the year. The new Chair likely will not be known for certain until early next year. Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) is expected to remain in her position. With regard to the Appropriations Committee and LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee leadership positions, all of the incumbents will remain in the Senate next year.

A number of Senate champions for afterschool and summer learning programs have either won their races or are likely to win as ballots continue to be tallied. The following have sponsored key afterschool legislation and/or helped secure additional funding for afterschool:

• Sen. Corey Booker (D-NJ)
• Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)
• Sen Chris Coons (D-DE)
• Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
• Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
• Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
• Sen. John Reed (D-RI)
• Sen Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
• Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN)

Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL), who had championed afterschool STEM and financial literacy, lost his re-election bid.

Check back soon for additional information on what the Presidential election results may mean for afterschool once that race has become finalized. We also plan to provide highlights from state and local races and ballot initiatives that could impact afterschool and summer learning programs.