[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 171 (Tuesday, October 29, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H8544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     MAKING COLLEGE MORE AFFORDABLE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Trone) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. TRONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the College 
Affordability Act, a comprehensive overhaul of our higher education 
system that will lower the cost of college and improve higher education 
for students of all backgrounds, because right now students are paying 
increasingly more for an education that is giving them less.
  I know that because I have heard it. I have heard from constituents 
in my district that we need to do better when it comes to the rising 
cost of tuition and the overall quality of higher education.
  That is why I am taking action. Since coming to Congress, I have 
worked closely with my colleagues on the Education and Labor Committee 
to lead four pieces of legislation that will be included in this act.
  The legislation will expand educational opportunities for all 
individuals impacted by the criminal justice system, dedicate more 
resources for prevention and treatment of alcohol and substance abuse 
on college campuses, strengthen grants for teachers and school leaders 
around recruitment and retention, and establish a commission to study 
mental health issues facing college students.
  These measures as well as others are what make the College 
Affordability Act a down payment on our higher education system that 
just makes sense.
  I urge swift passage for my colleagues in the committee today, and I 
hope we can move this bill to the floor and the President's desk even 
faster. As my good friend, Chairman Elijah Cummings, said: Our children 
are messengers we send to the future we will never see.
  It is time to invest in their future and give all Americans the good, 
quality higher education that they deserve.

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