Rep. Adriano Espaillat applauds the House committee on education & labor for passing h.r. 4674, the College Affordability Act

Statement

Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement on the successful markup and passage of H.R. 4676, the College Affordability Act by the House Committee on Education & Labor that includes his bicameral legislation -- H.R. 4108, the Jumpstart on College Act -- expanding dual-enrollment and early college high school programs.

"For over two years, House Democrats have put forward constructive legislation that would meet the challenges faced by students across the nation who deserve every opportunity to access and succeed in higher education," said Rep. Espaillat (NY-13). Today, under the leadership of Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, the Committee on Education & Labor has passed legislation that would reauthorize the Higher Education Act. I congratulate Chairman Scott and my esteemed colleagues for their tireless work and unceasing commitment to a fair and equitable future for our nation's students.

"The College Affordability Act From lowers the cost of college to students, holds the Department of Education to honor Public Service Loan Forgiveness, expands the maximum award of Pell Grants and lifetime eligibility, supports first-generation college student through the Trio and Gear Up programs, and includes the Jumpstart on College Act that invests in high-quality dual-enrollment and early high-school programs that benefit students and institutions of higher education here in New York's 13th Congressional District and across the country," said Rep. Espaillat (NY-13). This is a tremendous accomplishment that will benefit millions of students, families, and institutions of higher education and I look forward to voting in support of its passage when it comes before the full U.S. House of Representatives."

The Jumpstart on College Act (H.R. 4108) creates a matching grant program for institutions of higher education to establish partnerships with K-12 school districts to support the development of dual-enrollment and early college high school curriculum. The Jumpstart on College Act invests in dual enrollment and college in high school programs that enroll low-income and underserved students. These programs allow high school students to take college classes during their junior and senior years. They provide critical pillars of support aimed at increasing student achievement and success and reducing cost at the postsecondary level.

The Jumpstart on College Act (H.R. 4108) was introduced by Representatives Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dan Kildee (MI-05), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Steven Horsford (NV-04), and the U.S. Senate (S. 2395) by Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA).

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