September, 17 2009, 02:55pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Rich Williams, Higher Education Associate
202-546-9707 X 321
rwilliams@pirg.org
US PIRG Applauds the House's Historic Investment in Student Aid
Statement of Rich Williams, Higher Education Associate on the Passage of H.R. 3221
WASHINGTON
Rich
Williams, U.S. PIRG Higher Education Associate, 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:
"U.S. PIRG
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 historic investment in student aid profoundly
increases 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 significantly open
the doors of community college to students across the nation seeking to attain
higher education.
"This legislation 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 look
forward to working with the Senate, and in conference committee to further
strengthen this bill."
U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs), stands up to powerful special interests on behalf of the American public, working to win concrete results for our health and our well-being. With a strong network of researchers, advocates, organizers and students in state capitols across the country, we take on the special interests on issues, such as product safety,political corruption, prescription drugs and voting rights,where these interests stand in the way of reform and progress.
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