Senators Baldwin and Young Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Ensure American Students Remain Globally Competitive

Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act Will Help Equip Students with High-Demand International Skills 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Todd Young (R-IN) announced they have reintroduced a bipartisan bill to reauthorize Title VI of the Higher Education Act. The Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act will ensure that American students have access to quality international and foreign language education programs that meet the needs of our nation and help our students remain globally competitive.

“Wisconsin is home to world class universities and our international education system lives up to our state motto, ‘Forward.’ That’s why I’m once again joining Senator Young to support the reauthorization of critical Title VI programs that support language and area studies education,” said Senator Baldwin. “We must continue to strengthen international programs that foster innovation and enhance our local economies, and help satisfy the increasing demand for qualified workers in an increasingly interconnected world.”

“In order to remain globally competitive in the 21st century economy, it’s important that students in Indiana and across America are equipped with the international skills that are in demand. We must ensure that our higher education institutions can successfully prepare students to contribute to our economic competitiveness. This bill will equip universities across the country with resources to help develop innovative international programs and ensure our students are prepared to excel on the national stage,” said Senator Young.

Title VI provides resources for universities across the country, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Indiana University, to develop quality and innovative international programs of strategic interest related to the Middle East, East and Central Asia, Russia, Eastern Europe, Africa and other world areas. This bill advances national security, invigorates global competition and expands access to underserved students. Partnerships between universities and government strengthen and preserve our national and international foreign language education infrastructure.

Text of the legislation is available here.