John,

Right now, the United States spends $850 billion every year on the military— while our kids’ schools are left scrambling for resources. As Trump slashes education funding and pushes to dismantle the Department of Education, states are being forced to hike property taxes just to fill the gap.

Here in Illinois, we have the highest property taxes in the country — and still, only 1 in 4 fourth graders are meeting reading standards. In wealthier zip codes, students see far better results, while kids in working-class and low-income communities are left behind. A child’s zip code shouldn’t determine whether they get a good education. But right now, it does.

That’s why when I get to Congress, I’ll introduce the Books Not Bombs Act.

This bill will shift just 1.5% of the Pentagon’s budget into public education. That small reallocation would mean a 10% increase in funding for our schools — enough to ensure every child gets the education they deserve while driving down property taxes and making housing more affordable for homeowners and renters alike.

This is how we tackle the root causes of poor public education while making life more affordable for working people. This is why Congress needs more school board members in the fight — people like me, who have seen firsthand how broken our system is and who know how to fix it.

But I can’t do it without you. This campaign is powered by grassroots supporters — not billionaires, not defense contractors. If you believe we need to invest in books, not bombs, can you chip in $25, $50, or whatever you spare to send someone with public education experience to Congress?

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Together, we can invest in books, not bombs.

In solidarity,



Bushra Amiwala

Democrat for IL-09

Mail checks to:

Bushra for Congress

PO Box 911

Skokie, IL 60076