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Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Chairman Miller, for your work on this very, very important piece of legislation.

For the first time in a decade, Congress is going to pass a Higher Education Act, and I'm happy to support this long overdue improvement to higher education.

This legislation is about inclusion, and not exclusion. The bill simplifies the means by which students and families can research colleges, apply for help, and gather information to aid in the important decisions we all must make.

It expands access and support for poor students and students of color with changes in Pell grants and improvements to TRIO and Gear up.  It also includes additional support for students with disabilities, and additional support for veterans and their families.

This legislation is a hallmark of the work of this Congress in this session. I'm proud to be on the committee and proud to have served  in the development of this legislation.

Thank you.