Over the last three years, BASIC has worked to secure support for The Rebuild America’s School Act (HB 865) which was introduced in the 116th Congress by Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA) of the House Education and Workforce Committee. An identical bill (SB 266) was introduced by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI).  While these bills were originally introduced as stand-alone legislation, on June 22, 2020, Speaker Pelosi announced that H.R. 2, initially only a Transportation and Infrastructure Committee bill, would become a $1.5 trillion comprehensive infrastructure package. As part of this expansion, Reopen and Rebuild America’s Schools (RRAS), was added to H.R. 2, as Section K. This section would authorize $100 billion in grants to states over 5 years for high-need low wealth districts and $30 billion in low interest bonds.

H.R. 2 passed the House in July 2020.

This is an enormous victory for education equity and a result of BASIC’s effective advocacy.

Opportunity page archived - H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act—with funding to modernize deteriorated public school facilities—was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on July 1, 2020 and includes Section K—the Reopen and Rebuild America’s Schools Act. It provides $100 billion in grants to states over 5 years. Section K of H.R. 2 is based on the Rebuild America’s Schools Act (RASA - HB 865) introduced into the 116th Congress by Chairman Congressman Bobby Scott from Virginia, and to the Senate, Senate Bill 266, by Senator Jack Reed from Rhode Island.