Frank Pallone: “I am here tonight because I think it is imperative that the American public in general and the people of New Jersey…”

“I am here tonight because I think it is imperative that the American public in general and the people of New Jersey specifically, understand the details and consequences of the Republican's plan to slash funding for Federal student assistance programs. Indeed, while I support efforts to balance the Federal budget, I believe attempting to do so by restricting the average citizen's access to institutions of higher education is unequivocally a step in the wrong direction. I have to day, Mr. Speaker, that I am perplexed at the logic behind the cuts the Republicans have already approved. Like so many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I benefited from student assistance programs when I was in college. But unlike my Republican colleagues, I think it is grossly unfair for my generation to call for an end to student assistance programs after we used them to get to where we are today. Mr. Speaker, I would like to use Rutgers University as an example of the negative impact of the Republican proposals.”