[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 107 (Thursday, June 23, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H5833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         PELL GRANT ANNIVERSARY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Panetta) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the 50th 
anniversary of the Federal Pell grant. Created in 1972, the Pell 
targets students with a demonstrated financial need. It helps cover the 
cost of tuition, fees, room and board, and many, many other expenses.
  Now, unlike loans which can burden low-income students, Pell grants 
do not need to be repaid. The Pell actually helps students focus on 
school rather than have them wondering about how to pay for it.
  The Pell has benefited more than 80 million students in the past 50 
years and is an absolute lifeline for students at colleges in my 
district on the central coast of California. Currently, there are close 
to 16,000 students receiving $68 million in Pell grants to pursue their 
higher education goals at our local colleges and universities.
  Now, clearly, support for the Pell is widespread and bipartisan. I am 
proud to say that we here in Congress actually increased the Pell by 
$400 for 2022. That is the largest increase, Mr. Speaker, to the Pell 
in 10 years, but I think you would agree with me that this is not 
enough. As we celebrate this anniversary, Mr. Speaker, the Pell now 
only covers less than one-third of average attendance costs. So we must 
do everything we can to strengthen the Pell. I believe we can do that 
by doubling the Pell.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that that 
happens and ensure that students, regardless of need, can afford 
college and attain a brighter future.

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