Hill Day

Financial Literacy Day on Capitol Hill introduces Members of Congress, their staffs, the Capitol Hill community, and the general public to the strides Jump$tart and its partners have made in the financial literacy effort; to the most effective financial education programs and resources available today; and to the organizations and individuals who are working together toward shared goals. What began as a small gathering in 2003 has grown to a public event attracting hundreds of participants dedicated to building a financially literate future.

Please watch for future announcements as plans for Hill Day 2023 unfold.

Each year, Hill Day offers a buffet lunch, made possible by our generous sponsors, and remarks by the honorary co-hosts and other dignitaries.  The highlight of the event is an exhibit fair, featuring more than 50 Jump$tart Coalition National Partners and other key contributors to the financial literacy field.  Free and open to the public, Hill Day typically attracts more than 300 people including Members of Congress and their staffs, leaders of the financial literacy community, and the other visitors.

Laura Levine, president and CEO of the Jump$tart Coalition, has said that Hill Day depicts the best of what Jump$tart is as a coalition—a demonstration of the collective strength of our combined efforts, as well as the unique, individual contribution that each organization makes.

Hill Day History

Financial Literacy Day on Capitol Hill was introduced in 2003 by the Council for Economic Education, Junior Achievement, and the Jump$tart Coalition, with the office of the late U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka serving as the original honorary host.  Jump$tart eventually took over as convener of the event on behalf of its coalition partners.  The venue alternates between the House of Representatives side and the Senate side of Capitol Hill.

Retired U.S. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX-15) served as honorary co-host on the House side from 2005 – 2015, along with retired U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL-13) through 2011.  In 2013, Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH-15) took over for Rep. Biggert following her departure from Congress and Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH-3) joined him as the new honorary co-host in 2017 following Rep. Hinojosa’s retirement.  U.S. Sens. Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) and Michael Enzi (R-WY) served as honorary co-hosts on the Senate side until Senator Akaka’s retirement.  U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) joined Senator Enzi as honorary co-host in 2014.  In 2016, three co-chairs of the Senate Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus took over as the honorary co-hosts and in 2018, the event was honorarily co-hosted by Sen. Reed, along with Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC).

Laura Levine, president and CEO of the Jump$tart Coalition, has served as the event emcee since 2004, representing the many coalition partners that participate.

See past Hill Day events:  2019 | 2018.

Check out a four-minute clip from the 2011 Hill Day in the Cannon House Caucus Room.