[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 145 (Wednesday, September 18, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S6147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Booker, Mr. 
        Durbin, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Markey, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Warren, and 
        Mr. Wyden):
  S. 5091. A bill to provide for the basic needs of students at 
institutions of higher education; to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, I rise in support of the BASIC Act, 
which I introduced today.
  I know how important it is to help students cover the full cost of 
attending college, including tuition and fees, housing, food, 
transportation, books, childcare, healthcare, supplies, and more.
  In California, even though State and institutional aid programs cover 
full tuition and fees for about half of the students attending 
California State University, University of California, and California 
Community College, students struggle to pay for the remaining cost of 
attendance. This bill will help accelerate California's work to make 
college affordable and provide funding to reach more schools across 
California and our nation.
  Last year, the first-ever nationally representative data on student 
basic needs was released by the National Center for Education 
Statistics, which indicated that nearly one in four undergraduate 
students across the country experiences food insecurity. We also know 
that rates of basic needs insecurity are much higher for historically 
marginalized students, including Black, Latino, and Indigenous 
students; parenting students; LGBTQIA+students; first-generation 
students; Pell Grant recipients; former foster youth; and justice-
involved students.
  The evidence is clear that addressing student basic needs prevents 
students from sacrificing their health and well-being to succeed in 
higher education.
  That is why I am proud to introduce this bill to authorize $1 billion 
for a new grant program to help institutions of higher education meet 
students' basic needs.
  This funding represents an essential aspect of building more 
equitable paths to higher education, and it represents an investment in 
our students, our institutions, and our future. The legislation also 
helps coordinate assistance across Federal Agency lines.
  I want to thank Senator Warren and Representative Torres for 
introducing this bill with me, and I hope our colleagues will join us 
in ensuring that no student is forced to choose between their education 
and their basic needs.

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