NEW: Senator Whitehouse Defends Pell Grants
Thursday, September 22, 2011
“We need to make it clear that we are going to stand up for our kids,” Whitehouse said. “I've met students across Rhode Island who rely on Pell Grants to help them achieve the dream of a college education. This resolution sends a message that we will fight for those students and protect this vital program from irresponsible cuts.”
The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Al Franken (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).
“We must protect and enhance efforts that help open the door to higher education for all, like Pell grants, which helped send more than 240,000 Ohioans to college in 2008-2009,” Brown said.. “The ability to pay shouldn’t prevent our best and brightest from seeking a college education.”
Earlier this year Republicans attempted cutting Pell Grants through a budget resolution that would have resulted in funding cuts for over a million students on an average of $1,775. Near the end of the ceiling debate in July, The Hill newspaper reported some Republican House Members opposed Pell Grant funding, some referring to the program as “welfare” for our children.
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Comments:
pearl fanch
3:53pm on Friday, September 23, 2011
Sheldon, was there anyone who was ever against the Pell Grant system? What are you thinking?
You're supposed to be a state leader. How about coming up with a plan of action to correct the housing market. Where's your plan on correcting RI's economy. Where's your plan on chasing the illegals out of RI. This would allow OUR tax dollars to be spent on people who actually BELONG HERE!!
This state is completely in the toilet, and what are YOU going to do about it Sheldon? When are you going to start DOING something, instead of following Reed around. Have a mind of your own and bring some leadership. Your next declaration will be that you're backing the use of oxegyn for breathing. Way to go. Glad to see RI voters didn't waste their votes.