Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the POST GRAD Act of 2025, which I introduced today.

For too long, the cost of higher education has remained a barrier for students pursuing advanced degrees that are necessary in our economy, including psychology, social work, and teaching, where shortages of qualified professionals that meet the needs of their communities persist. The POST GRAD Act would relieve some of the financial burden of financing a graduate degree by reinstating subsidized Federal student loans for graduate students, which was common practice in the United States from 1994 until 2012.

Unlike undergraduate students, graduate students have only been able to obtain Federal direct unsubsidized loans that accrue interest even while they are still in graduate school for the past decade. This can add thousands of additional dollars over the life of the loan.

Furthermore, the majority of those who take out graduate Federal student loans are disproportionately women, people of color, and people from low- to middle-income backgrounds. This bill presents an opportunity to lower the cost of graduate school and reduce barriers to access that support a 21st-century workforce.

I want to thank Representative Judy Chu for introducing this bill with me. I hope our colleagues will join us in taking a step towards making an advanced degree more attainable for Americans.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source