U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), chairman of the chamber's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee, announced Monday that he will not seek re-election in 2020. His retirement at the end of his current term will likely have sweeping consequences for how education policy is made on Capitol Hill, Politico reported.
The former Tennessee governor and president of the University of Tennessee has served in the Senate since first being elected in 2002. Alexander also lead the U.S. Department of Education under President George H.W. Bush.
"The people of Tennessee have been very generous, electing me to serve more combined years as Governor and Senator than anyone else from our state. I am deeply grateful, but now it is time for someone else to have that privilege," the longtime politician said in a statement.
In the Senate, Alexander is known as a bipartisan deal maker as a well as a legislator with an intense interest in the higher education system, Inside Higher Ed reported. His legislative achievements include restoring year-round Pell Grants and passing the Every Student Succeeds Act, a "fix" to the No Child Left Behind law, which he co-wrote with Senator Patty Murray, ranking member of the HELP committee.
Alexander has previously stated that he would also like to pass a comprehensive overhaul of higher education. His impending retirement could increase the likelihood of progress on the Higher Education Act reauthorization.
Related Links
Politico
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-education/2018/12/18/lamar-alexanders-retirement-to-shift-education-policy-landscape-on-capitol-hill-458803
Inside Higher Ed
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2018/12/18/lamar-alexanders-decision-retire-could-add-urgency-pass-higher-ed-law