Political Quotes

“I rise today to support the Federal TRIO programs. Federal TRIO programs provide services to disadvantaged students to support their success from middle school all the way through college and beyond. These critical programs service over 800,000 students nationwide, including 15,000 in Virginia. They focus on veterans, students with disabilities, low-income students, and first-generation college students. TRIO programs are vital to the success of students across the country in preparing for and entering college. They also aid adult learners in preparing to enter the workforce. Unfortunately, this administration and the Department of Education right now are failing to support Federal TRIO programs. Grant applications that should have opened last fall for two TRIO programs, the Talent Search and Education Opportunity Centers, are still nowhere to be found. If these delays continue, programs will be unable to open on time come this August, harming students across the country. That is why I am calling on the Department of Education to immediately release this year's TRIO applications. We need to support these students' achievements, not hamper them. I know many Senators have written a letter, as well, to the administration about this. It is bipartisan, and we need to get it done.”