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Washington, DC-- Today Congressman David Wu opposed a Republican budget reconciliation bill that cuts vital services for American families and increases costs to students in pursuit of higher education. Republican leaders claim the $39 billion in cuts are necessary to reduce the deficit, but instead, they are being used to help pay for another $56 billion in tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, half with incomes over $1 million per year. The bill narrowly passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 216 to 214.
As a member of the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee, Congressman Wu focused much of his energy on fighting the cuts in college financial aid.
Congressman Wu's remarks following today's vote on the final budget reconciliation bill are below:
"This $12 billion, taken from America's college students, is one of the two saddest events during my seven years in Congress.
"Financial barriers should not prevent qualified students from going to college, and that is why America has long made the commitment to help families afford higher education. Cutting college financial aid breaks the (formerly) bipartisan commitment to education and opportunity for all.
"Making it harder for students to go to college not only undercuts our promise to individuals, it undermines America’s economy and world leadership.
"Studies show that financial barriers will prevent 4.4 million high school graduates from attending a four-year public university over the next decade, and prevent another two million from attending any college at all. The nation is facing a shortage of 12 million college-educated workers by 2020.
"In 2004, China graduated 600,000 engineers and India graduated 350,000. America graduated just 70,000. Europe now produces more PhD’s in science and engineering each year than the U.S. does.
"Together, we can do better, and we must if we want to remain a strong global economic leader. College affordability is key to maintaining a strong economy for generations to come, as well as providing individual opportunity.
"A stronger America starts at home, and one of the best investments we can make as a nation is in education.
"Today's vote confirms this administration and Congressional Republicans are not acting in the best interest of Americans and our economic future."
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