Washington, DC—Today, Rise’s Co-Founder and CEO Max Lubin issued the following statement on behalf of Rise and its members:
Millions of college students and young people who elected President Biden through historic voter turnout are left behind in the President’s framework to Build Back Better. This framework does next to nothing to end the cycle of state divestment from public higher education, tuition hikes and skyrocketing student loan debt. The increase to the Pell grant amounts to an additional $1.50 per day for low-income students which is not enough for millions of food insecure college students to buy a healthy meal—let alone address the enrollment crisis facing community colleges. This framework does contain several provisions that specific senators opposed because President Biden fought hard to include them in the compromise bill. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same about President Biden’s promises to double the Pell grant, eliminate tuition at public universities for families earning up to $125,000, and make community colleges free for all. Our students and youth have fought hard all year to enact these provisions into law. We urge the President and White House to fight alongside us in anticipation of a 2022 reconciliation bill, and fulfill his promises to college students and youth ahead of the midterm elections. In the meantime, we would like to thank Senators Baldwin, Murray, and Sanders, Representative Andy Levin—and their staff—who never stopped fighting for students.
To view a PDF version of the statement, please click here.
