[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 199 (Friday, December 23, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2340]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2055, CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012

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                               speech of

                        HON. PEDRO R. PIERLUISI

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2011

  Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concern over 
the changes that would be made to the Pell Grant program by this 
spending bill.
  In 2009, my colleagues and I on the House Education and Labor 
Committee made a landmark investment in the Pell Grant program when we 
passed the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. Through that 
legislation, we increased the maximum Pell Grant award to $5,550, up 
from $4,050 in 2006. As college tuition rises, the higher maximum award 
has served as a lifeline to students who want to better their future by 
attending college or a technical or trade school. I am pleased that the 
bill we are considering today protects that maximum award level.
  However, I am disappointed that this spending bill makes several 
changes to the Pell Grant program that will close the doors to college 
to many students in Puerto Rico and across our nation. Specifically, 
the bill would limit the number of semesters during which a student may 
receive a Pell Grant, require that a student hold a high school diploma 
or General Equivalency Degree to obtain a Pell Grant, and reduce the 
income level below which a student will automatically receive the 
maximum Pell Grant award from $30,000 to $23,000.
  These changes appear to be premised on the belief that, for a student 
to benefit from postsecondary education, he or she must take a 
traditional path--graduate from high school or obtain a GED, and then 
complete college within a set amount of time. Most, if not all, of us 
in this body took that path. But today, an increasing number of 
students are not taking that path, particularly as our economy 
continues its slow recovery. If we require students to meet our 
preconceived notions of the type of student who is worthy of a Pell 
Grant, we will shortchange many of our nation's young people who seek a 
better life for themselves. Some students are unable to graduate from 
high school, to receive a GED, or complete college within 12 semesters 
because they must work to provide for their family. Other students must 
care for an ill family member. Whatever the reason, if a student is 
motivated to attend college or a technical or trade school, we should 
provide the same financial assistance that we provide to students who 
take a more traditional path.
  In today's economy, graduating from college is more important than 
ever. Fifty years ago, an individual could obtain a well-paying job 
without a college degree. Today, college opens so many doors for our 
nation's youth that would otherwise remain sealed shut. We in Congress 
should do everything in our power to increase access to college and 
technical and trade schools. I regret that this spending bill falls 
short on that measure.

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