Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today, most jobs require some kind of postsecondary credential, whether a certificate, an associate's or bachelor's degree, an advanced or professional degree, or an apprenticeship. Moreover, the workplace is changing with automation, artificial intelligence, and the so-called gig economy transforming the nature of work. These trends have only accelerated in the wake of the pandemic and its economic fallout. That is why I am proud to be introducing the bipartisan Partnerships for Affordability and Student Success (PASS) Act with my colleague, Senator Collins. The pandemic has upended educational opportunities for this generation of students. Unlike previous economic downturns when college enrollment climbed, the National Student Clearinghouse is reporting the largest decline in college enrollment in over a decade, with low-income and community college students experiencing the sharpest declines. For too many Americans, postsecondary education seems increasingly risky or out of reach. The Federal government cannot solve the crisis on its own. States are critical partners in making college accessible, affordable, equitable, and accountable. However, State funding for higher education is lower today than it was before the onset of the Great Recession.…”