Velázquez, Booker, Frost Introduce Bicameral Bills to Strengthen Music and Arts Education

Washington, D.C.- Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) introduced two pieces of legislation to strengthen music and arts education in schools nationwide. The Music In Our Schools Month Resolution, led by Velázquez and Frost in the House with Booker in the Senate, would affirm the importance of music education, highlight the benefits students receive from its instruction, and recognize the dedication of music educators across the country. The Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education Act of 2026 (GAAME Act), led by Velázquez in the House with Booker in the Senate, would incentivize the use of federal funds to improve access to music and the arts for disadvantaged and low-income students, taught by certified arts and music educators.

"Access to music and arts education shouldn't depend on a student's zip code or family income. Music builds confidence, sharpens critical thinking, and opens doors that stay open for a lifetime," said Congresswoman Velázquez. "As federal arts funding faces unprecedented cuts, we have a responsibility to fight for the programs and educators that make a difference in classrooms across the country. I'm proud to join Senator Booker and Representative Frost in introducing these bills to invest in music education and the students who benefit from it,"

"Access to music and arts education shouldn't depend on a student's zip code or family income. Music builds confidence, sharpens critical thinking, and opens doors that stay open for a lifetime," said Congresswoman Velázquez. "As federal arts funding faces unprecedented cuts, we have a responsibility to fight for the programs and educators that make a difference in classrooms across the country. I'm proud to join Senator Booker in introducing these bills to invest in music education and the students who benefit from it."

"As a musician, I've seen firsthand how music education can shape a young person's confidence, discipline, and sense of belonging. I'm proud to co-lead the resolution designating March as 'Music in Our Schools Month' because access to music programs should not depend on a student's zip code, income level, or background. When students can learn, perform, and create, they gain skills that carry into every part of their lives. Ensuring every student has access to high-quality music education is an investment in their growth and in the strength of our communities." - Rep. Maxwell Frost

The GAAME Act will amend the Elementary and Secondary School Act (ESEA) to encourage the use of Title I funds to:

1. Bolster the number of certified musicand arts educators available.
2. Purchase equipment for musicand arts courses (sheet music, instruments, etc.)
3. Provide further professional development for certified musicand arts educators.
4. Improve access to sequential, standards-based arts and musiceducation taught by certified educators.

The GAAME Act and the Music In Our Schools Month Resolution are cosponsored by: Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Rep. Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA), and Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL).

The following organizations support the GAAME Act: American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, American Federation of Teachers, The American Orff-Schulwerk Association, American String Teachers Association, Arts Ed NJ, Association for Popular Music Education, Chorus America, College Band Directors National Association, CMA Foundation, Drum Corps International, Education Through Music, Educational Theatre Association, The Feierabend Association for Music Education, Hawaii Youth Symphony, JazzSLAM, Kindermusik International, Missouri Alliance for Arts Education, Music Publishers Association of the United States, Music Teachers National Association, Music Travel Consultants, Music Workshop, National Art Education Association, National Association for Music Education, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Music Merchants, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Concerts, National Dance Education Organization, National Education Association, National Federation of State High School Associations, National Music Council, Nuvo Instrumental, Organization of American Kodály Educators, Percussive Arts Society, Quadrant Research, Recording Academy, Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society, Rock and Soul Forever Foundation, Save the Music Foundation, State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education, Wurrly LLC, and Young Audiences Arts for Learning.

The following organizations support the Music In Our Schools Month Resolution: American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, American Federation of Teachers, AASA-The School Superintendents Association, The American Orff-Schulwerk Association, American String Teachers Association, Arts Ed NJ, Association for Popular Music Education, Chorus America, College Band Directors National Association, CMA Foundation, Drum Corps International, Education Through Music, The Feierabend Association for Music Education, Hawaii Youth Symphony, JazzSLAM, Kindermusik International, League of American Orchestras, Missouri Alliance for Arts Education, Music Publishers Association of the United States, Music Teachers National Association, Music Travel Consultants, Music Workshop, National Art Education Association, National Association for Music Education, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Music Merchants, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Education Association, National Federation of State High School Associations, National Music Council, National PTA, Nuvo Instrumental, Organization of American Kodály Educators, Percussive Arts Society, Quadrant Research, Recording Academy, Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society, Rock and Soul Forever Foundation, Save the Music Foundation, State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education, Wurrly LLC, and Young Audiences Arts for Learning.

For a copy of the Music in Our Schools Month resolution, click here.

For a copy of the GAAME Act, click here.

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