Bart Gordon said "the widow of a small-town vice-principal called me last month and asked how in the world the man who murdered her husband can be eligible for a Pell grant while her now fatherless daughter is struggling to pay her way through school. I think she and most Americans do not think we need to study this issue anymore. Do not be fooled by pleas for more time. Two years ago the House voted overwhelmingly to cut off Pell grants to prisoners, but the conference watered down the provision in exchange for a study. Now, a year and a half after the study was due, there is still no study. Yet one-quarter billion to one-half billion dollars in Pell grants have gone to prisoners in just the last 2 years. Waiting will not help. Pell grants for prisoners were a mistake 2 years ago, they are a mistake today. Vote against the Wynn amendment." @ PoliticalQuotes.com

On the recordApril 20, 1994

the widow of a small-town vice-principal called me last month and asked how in the world the man who murdered her husband can be eligible for a Pell grant while her now fatherless daughter is struggling to pay her way through school. I think she and most Americans do not think we need to study this issue anymore. Do not be fooled by pleas for more time. Two years ago the House voted overwhelmingly to cut off Pell grants to prisoners, but the conference watered down the provision in exchange for a study. Now, a year and a half after the study was due, there is still no study. Yet one-quarter billion to one-half billion dollars in Pell grants have gone to prisoners in just the last 2 years. Waiting will not help. Pell grants for prisoners were a mistake 2 years ago, they are a mistake today. Vote against the Wynn amendment.

Said by

Bart Gordon

Democratic · Tennessee

Source

govinfo.gov

Editor's note · Context

Addressing the issue of Pell grants being awarded to prisoners during a debate.

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