Hoyer Statement on House Democrats' Higher Education Initiative Launch

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on the Higher Education Initiative announced this afternoon by House Democrats on the Education and Workforce Committee:

“Today, House Democrats launched a bold new initiative to strengthen higher education access and affordability for the twenty-first century.  Recognizing how critical higher education has become to competing for and securing good jobs and opportunities for our workers, Democrats will fight not just to preserve but to expand proven resources such as Pell Grants and to reform the way student loans are financed and serviced so that graduates can better manage their payments.  Most of all, we want to make the federal government a partner with colleges and universities to promote greater access, affordability, and completion by controlling costs and lowering tuition. 

“If America is to continue leading the world in innovation, entrepreneurship, and opportunity, we will need to ensure that every student who wants to attain higher education can do so.  I want to thank Ranking Member Bobby Scott and House Education and Workforce Committee Democrats for their hard work in developing and introducing this new plan to help students aim higher.”