Patsy T. Mink: “we have heard previous to this debate a long dissertation about the Federal obligation to fund IDEA. While there is…”

“we have heard previous to this debate a long dissertation about the Federal obligation to fund IDEA. While there is disagreement in terms of how that responsibility has fallen upon the Federal Government, most of us agree that funding for IDEA should be increased. Now we are discussing another concurrent resolution which has to do with Pell Grants. This I believe is a time when the majority must listen to what they were saying when they debated IDEA. The authorization language which comes from this august committee calls for a basic funding of Pell Grants. That ought to be interpreted as an obligation which this Congress and this Federal Government is according based upon very severe eligibility standards. Much as we do Medicare, we have eligibility standards and then we decide how much funding that individual should get for Medicare, for hospitalization, for doctor's care, and so forth. It seems to me that if we are really true to what we are saying on this floor with regard to the importance of funding low-income students, giving them the best opportunity to have a higher education, this Congress ought to fund the complete amount that we authorize for Pell Grants. That is the only way we are going to meet our fundamental responsibility.”