American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Floor Speech

AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009 -- (Senate - February 06, 2009)

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AMENDMENT NO. 528

Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President and fellow Senators, I rise in support of amendment No. 528, which has been cosponsored by Senator Schumer and enjoys the support of many of the Nation's top education groups, including the American Council on Education, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the Association of American Universities, and many others.

America's institutions of higher education are vital to building a skilled workforce and to developing leaders who can compete in the global marketplace. Unfortunately, many of our colleges and universities are feeling the effects of the current economic crisis. As a former Governor, I understand that in these difficult times States are often forced to cut back on funding for critical programs such as education.

My amendment would provide an additional $2.5 billion to the Higher Education Modernization, Renovation, and Repair portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The additional funds will bring the total appropriation to $6 billion, the same amount as in the House bill. It will fund critical projects and instructional equipment at our colleges and universities across the country.

This amendment is estimated to create an additional 71,000 jobs. As we talk about this economic package, one of the things we have all been focused on is how do we create jobs. This amendment would do that.

According to the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, private colleges in 21 States report they have 572 projects ready to go, totaling $4.5 billion. The funding in this amendment is targeted for those shovel-ready projects that will have an immediate impact and spur economic growth on the local level. In New Hampshire alone, it will provide an additional $10 million, money that can be spent on needed projects such as rebuilding an arts building at Colby-Sawyer College, renovating a college and innovation center at White Mountains College, general infrastructure repair at the University of New Hampshire, and a science building renovation at Franklin Pierce University. This additional funding will benefit students and colleges across the country and put many people to work.

I urge Members to join me in support of amendment No. 246.

I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a letter from the American Council on Education that lists those groups in support of the amendment.

There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

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