By a vote of 73 to 27, the
Senate passed an amendment to restore $7 billion in funding to education and
health programs. The amendment, introduced by Senator Specter and Senator Harkin,
will allow the Appropriations Committee funding to restore higher education
programs such as LEAP, GEAR UP and TRIO to their FY05 appropriated levels.
We applaud the Senate for
restoring cuts to critical student aid programs. Unfortunately, this budget
fails to provide for the rapidly growing need for grant aid among America's
college students.
In particular, for the fifth
consecutive year, the Senate budget leaves the maximum Pell Grant award frozen
at $4,050. As Congress continues to talk about global competitiveness and American
values, we must remember that affordable higher education is both economically
and socially essential for our nation.
