Political Quotes

“of the many reasons to vote against this measure, one of the most significant is its failure to address the ``opportunity deficit.'' Yes, this administration's many failures are reflected in the budget deficit and the trade deficit, but I am even more concerned about the ``opportunity deficit.'' When students cannot develop their God-given potential to its fullest extent, we have an ``opportunity deficit.'' When our community cannot benefit from the talents of those students unable to get a higher education, we have an ``opportunity deficit.'' By failing to increase the amount of federal financial assistance to let all students get the full extent of educational opportunity, this measure today deepens the ``opportunity deficit.'' Freezing Perkins loans, freezing work-study financing for all of those students who want to work, freezing Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants, and virtually freezing Pell grants demonstrate that these Republicans are putting higher education on ice for too many students. This administration gives students a cold shoulder, as they have by freezing Pell grants in the past, in not addressing the rising tuition rates across the country. Our students at UT-Pan American, South Texas College, Austin Community College, and Huston-Tillotson University depend on Pell grants, but the purchasing power of Pell grants has shrunk to historic lows.…”