Reps. Bera, Obernolte Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Celebrating and Supporting California’s Public Higher Education Systems
Today, Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA-06) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23), Co-Chairs of the California Public Higher Education Caucus (CPHEC), announced the introduction of a bipartisan resolution recognizing the vital role California’s public higher education institutions play in expanding opportunity, driving innovation and fueling economic growth.
The resolution underscores the importance of the UC, CSU, and CCC systems—collectively serving over 2.8 million students—and affirms the federal government’s commitment to supporting their mission. It follows the recent relaunch of CPHEC, which advocates for increased investment and policy support for California’s world-class public colleges and universities. Congressman Bera, who founded the caucus in 2014, has long championed efforts to enhance access, affordability and quality across the state’s higher education landscape.
“As a proud UC alum and former educator, I’ve seen firsthand how California’s public colleges and universities open doors and fuel our economy,” said Representative Bera. “These institutions are some of the most powerful engines of upward mobility in the country, especially for students from underserved communities. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan resolution with Representative Obernolte to recognize their contributions and reaffirm our commitment to helping them thrive.”
“California’s public colleges and universities play a vital role in preparing students for the workforce and strengthening our economy,” said Representative Obernolte. “I’m proud to support this resolution recognizing their contributions and the importance of continued federal investment in their success.”
You can read the full resolution here.
Original Cosponsors:
Reps. Ami Bera (CA-06), Jay Obernolte (CA-23), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), John Garamendi (CA-08), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Mark Takano (CA-39), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Josh Harder (CA-09), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Dave Min (CA-47), Derek Tran (CA-45), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Norma Torres (CA-35), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)
Members of the California Public Higher Education Caucus:
Reps. Ami Bera (CA-06), Jay Obernolte (CA-23), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Lou Correa (CA-46), Jim Costa (CA-21), Judy Chu (CA-28), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Laura Friedman (CA-30), John Garamendi (CA-08), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Josh Harder (CA-09), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Dave Min (CA-47), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Scott Peters (CA-50), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Mark Takano (CA-39), Derek Tran (CA-45) and Maxine Waters (CA-43)