Cuts to Pell Grants

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, on May 22, House Republicans passed their budget bill, which would make major cuts to the Pell Grant program in order to finance tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. This will be one of the largest transfers of multigenerational wealth in the history of the country.

Pell grants are awarded to help low-income students afford the cost of higher education so that they can focus on their coursework. Republican changes would force students with disabilities, students with jobs, and primary caregivers to increase their course load or risk losing their Pell grant awards.

Over 5,000 students in the district I represent in northern California receive Pell grants. A study by the Center for Economic and Policy Research found that the average income in a community rises by 2\1/2\ percent for every 1 percent increase in Pell grants.

We should focus on making education more accessible and doubling the maximum Pell grant, not cutting off support for students who need it the most for people who need support the least.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source