Alex knows that an investment in a child’s education is an investment in the future of America. He grew up attending Los Angeles public schools, where his teachers encouraged him to dream big. Alex wants all children in California to have access to quality public education so they can pursue their own dreams. He is proud to advocate for funding to support teachers and staff, school infrastructure, and student well-being. As a first-generation college graduate, Alex knows the hurdles that too many Californians face in accessing quality, affordable higher education, and he is determined to make higher education accessible for all. During his first term in congress, Padilla introduced the Basic Assistance for Students in College (BASIC) Act to ensure college students are able to meet their basic needs while pursuing their education. He also led several pushes calling on the Biden administration to cancel up to $50,000 of debt for federal student loan borrowers to provide relief to nearly 4 million Californians with student debt.

As a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in mechanical engineering, Alex is a strong supporter of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) educational opportunities inside and outside the classroom. He has also helped launch, and co-chair, the first-ever Senate Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Caucus. The HSI Caucus aims to educate Members of Congress about the contributions and importance of allocating adequate resources to accredited, degree-granting institutions of higher education with at least 25 percent total undergraduate Hispanic full-time student enrollment.