WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 - Rich Williams, CALPIRG's Federal Higher Education Association
released the following statement on the passage of the higher education
bill authored by Chairman George Miller (D-CA), chair of the U.S. House
Education and Labor committee, which passed by a vote of 253-171:
“CALPIRG praises the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 3221 - the
Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009. Federal aid
programs have failed to keep pace with the financial realities of
family incomes and college costs, placing an excessive burden on
families of modest means and hindering student opportunity.
“This
investment in student aid profoundly changes the benefits of federal
student aid programs. In particular, this legislation ensures that the
Pell grant increases each year in accordance with the cost of living -
instilling confidence in college financing for students of modest means
for years to come. In addition, H.R. 3221 will keep the doors of
community college open to students across the nation, as well as help
them get to graduation.
“In short, this bill helps renew the promise of student aid programs
for the tens of millions of students who rely on grants, loans, and
access to community college to achieve a college education. We
appreciate Chairman Miller’s leadership and look forward to working
with the Senate on the bill.”
