McCollum Opening Statement for the E-Forum on Higher Education
McCollum Opening Statement for the E-Forum on Higher Education
"I'm Congresswoman Betty McCollum from Minnesota. Thank you for participating in this important discussion about college affordability.
Higher education is one of the most important issues in my congressional district. I represent over 20 colleges, universities, community colleges and technical schools. For me and my constituents higher education is an important industry that keeps us economically competitive.
Congress has passed two major pieces of legislation recently that negatively affect higher education and students: the budget reconciliation bill and the Higher Education Act Reauthorization (H.R. 609). Unfortunately, the effect of these two bills is to raise the cost of college for students and families.
In order to partially pay for the massive tax giveaways for the most fortunate, early this year the Republican Congress passed $12 billion in cuts to student aid. This is the largest cut to students ever. If that wasn't enough, H.R. 609 retreats from the federal government's previous commitment to postsecondary education by failing to make necessary investments in students and colleges and universities, while at the same time exposing scarce federal dollars to potential fraud and abuse by for-profit education companies.
The government should be a partner in increasing access to higher education because this issue is important to the families we represent and because our future competitiveness depends on having a well-educated, highly trained workforce. And we know that we are already falling behind. Countries around the world are making the necessary investments in their futures while this Congress denies opportunity for too many Americans.
In addition, these changes have serious consequences even for those who can put together the resources to attend college. A recent editorial in the Minneapolis Star Tribune points out that the level of debt students are graduating with is affecting career choices. This means that we will not be able to keep up with the demand for quality teachers, social workers, or nurses, nor will we have the means to interest young people in public service.
I look forward to hearing from you about your experiences and your ideas. Most importantly, I look forward to working with you to make Congress a stronger partner in promoting quality, affordable education for all."
http://www.mccollum.house.gov/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC={61A8F8C5-8576-4142-98B4-DD5208A4C2CF}&DE={E7BD0BEE-D5D1-4C6A-A08D-39313CDD28AE}