Over the last two years, Secretary Cardona led the nation's efforts to safely and successfully reopen schools for in-person learning, while distributing historic federal education funding for P-12 schools and colleges; working to increase higher education access, affordability, and student success; and leading unprecedented federal efforts to transform the country's student loan system.

Across all these areas, Secretary Cardona has highlighted the urgency of seizing this moment through intentional collaboration—particularly working in partnership with parents, families, students, and educators—and the opportunity we have, as a nation, not only to recover from the pandemic, but to reimagine a higher-performing and more equitable education system that works better for all.

Secretary Cardona previously served as the Commissioner of Education in Connecticut, where his approach to leadership focused on partnerships. He has two decades of experience as a public-school educator. He began his career as an elementary teacher. A lifelong Meriden resident, Secretary Cardona attended Central Connecticut State University for his bachelor's degree as well as UCONN, where he completed his master’s degree, his doctorate and his superintendent certificate. His greatest source of pride is his family. Secretary Cardona and his wife Marissa are the proud parents of two children.

Senator Murkowski was born in Ketchikan and raised in towns across the state, including Wrangell, Juneau, Fairbanks and Anchorage. She is married to Verne Martell and they have two grown sons.

Since joining the Senate in 2002, Senator Murkowski has worked tirelessly for Alaskans and earned a reputation in the Senate for her ability to work collaboratively and across the aisle to reach common sense solutions. Senator Murkowski is well-known for her love and dedication to her state, which means putting Alaska first.

A leader on energy and public lands issues, Senator Murkowski recognizes that sound national policy will promote not only job creation and economic growth, but also higher standards of living and greater global stability. She supports the safe and efficient production and use of all forms of domestic energy, as well as research to help develop emerging technologies. Senator Murkowski continues to pursue policies to advance renewable energy, increase energy efficiency and make America’s energy cleaner, more affordable and more reliable.

Senator Murkowski has long-advocated for the Arctic as a national priority and continues to push the United States to invest in the infrastructure and assets critical to supporting an Arctic strategy. She is leading the charge to recapitalize and expand America’s fleet of icebreakers and has introduced legislation to raise the nation’s presence in the Arctic through two bills that support responsible research and development as well as giving those who live in the region a greater voice on policy and research.

She is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee (Subcommittees –Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies; Defense; Energy and Water Development; Homeland Security; Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies), ranking member of the Interior-Environment Subcommittee, member of Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee and vice chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.