Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, today's education funding bill completely ignores the reality facing the neediest of our college students today. College costs are rising dramatically over the last 10 years. College tuition is up 38 percent, and the buying power of the Pell grant is at an historical low. Due to the sour economy, State legislatures have dramatically reduced their support for a postsecondary education as they seek to balance State budgets. Charitable giving, alumni support and endowments are down. How has all of this affected our students? Students, especially the neediest students, are literally being denied a postsecondary education because they do not have the resources to pay for college. According to the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, nearly one-half of all college-qualified, low- and moderate-income graduates will be unable to attend a 4-year college due to rising costs. Nearly 170,000 students will be unable to attend any postsecondary institution. As a member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness, I have heard from countless numbers of students and student associations on their need for relief, but here on this floor the Republican response to the financial difficulties of students is to freeze the maximum Pell grant.”