Press release issued 12.20.20
(Washington, D.C.) – Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate education committee, negotiated wins in a bipartisan, bicameral higher education proposal that will be included in the must-pass year end spending bill to make college more affordable and accessible to more students. Senator Murray successfully fought to significantly expand who is eligible for financial aid, remove barriers students face in accessing financial aid, provide financial relief for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and better support working students, working families, students with low-incomes, and student parents—all of which Senator Murray has long fought for. Each year, an additional 555,000 students will be newly eligible for the Pell Grant, and 1.7 million more grant recipients will be newly eligible for the maximum Pell Grant, as a result of this legislation.
Specifically, Senator Murray secured policies that restore Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated individuals, students who have been defrauded, and students with drug-related offenses; significantly expand who is eligible to receive Pell Grants and the maximum award; simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); make the financial aid process easier to navigate for students experiencing homelessness and students formerly in foster care; forgive outstanding debts of HBCUs that received loans under the federal HBCU Capital Financing Loan Program; increase support for working students and families by reducing the “work penalty” threshold for financial aid; and takes steps to ensure students with low-incomes and student parents can access programs that support their basic needs.
“Every single person in this country should be able to access and afford a quality higher education—and today we move substantially closer to that goal. For too long, students who are incarcerated, students who have been defrauded by for-profit colleges, and students who have drug-related offenses have been blocked from receiving federal aid. But now, I’m incredibly pleased that these students will finally be able to access aid and begin and continue their education. And as the pandemic and economic recession has made it even more difficult for students to afford and continue college, I’m proud we have taken important strides to make our financial aid process work better—especially for students experiencing homelessness, students formerly in foster care, and working families,” said Senator Murray.
“These are important steps forward, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. I’ll keep fighting to build on this progress and make higher education more affordable, accessible, accountable, and safer for all students,” continued Senator Murray.
The bipartisan, bicameral proposal takes language from Senator Murray’s Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act and the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act, and builds on her longtime efforts to support HBCUs, tribal colleges, and minority-serving institutions, and her efforts to support students with low-incomes and student parents in order to:
Restore Pell grant eligibility for incarcerated individuals, by removing a counterproductive prohibition that has encouraged recidivism and limits incarcerated individuals’ ability to support themselves and their families upon release. Especially important during this pandemic, investing in post-secondary education for incarcerated individuals has also been shown to improve conditions inside prisons;
Restore Pell Grant eligibility for defrauded students, by resetting the clock on a student’s eligibility if they are defrauded by predatory for-profit colleges and successfully receive a borrower defense discharge; and
Restore Pell Grant eligibility for students with drug-related offenses, by repealing a 1998 prohibition on federal financial aid for college students convicted of a drug offense, which disproportionately disqualifies students of color and students with low incomes from receiving aid.
Expand eligibility for the maximum Pell Grant award, by ensuring that all families who make under 175 percent, and single parents who make under 225 percent, of the federal poverty level will receive a maximum Pell Grant.
Increase support for working students and families, by reducing the “work penalty” that many students face when working to support themselves and pay for the rising costs of college. The legislation enacts a 35 percent increase for working students and 20 percent increase for families to the income protection allowance (IPA), shielding more of their income from reducing their financial aid.
Make critical investments in our nation’s HBCUs, by forgiving the debt HBCUs have received to finance capital infrastructure projects and allowing HBCUs to redirect that spending on educating their students.
Support students with low-incomes and student parents, by requiring the Secretary of Education to notify students of their eligibility of programs that support students’ basic needs, including housing and food security and access to child care.
Remove barriers to financial aid for students experiencing homelessness and students formerly in foster care, by easing the application and determination process for becoming eligible for aid.
(2) Inslee statement on federal coronavirus relief and omnibus package
December 20, 2020--Press release issued.
Gov. Jay Inslee today released a statement on Congress reaching agreement on an omnibus funding package that includes emergency relief to address the health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While it is many months overdue, I am pleased Congress has reached agreement on another coronavirus relief package. This will provide sorely-needed support for hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians who are struggling with joblessness, hunger and housing insecurity.
“This agreement averts an unemployment benefit cliff for nearly 100,000 Washingtonians at the end of this year and provides critical assistance to Washington’s industries and small businesses. It also invests in vaccine distribution, rental assistance, schools and broadband. It should be passed and signed as swiftly as possible.
“Make no mistake — this package can only be considered a down-payment on the relief needed to fully recover from this pandemic. I am disappointed that further aid for state, local and tribal governments was not included in this package despite the clear need articulated by nearly every state and governor. Our work must continue with the Biden-Harris administration and the 117th Congress to secure additional aid to families and ensure states have the resources to preserve core programs and services that Americans rely on.
“I extend my appreciation to Washington state’s congressional delegation, who fought tirelessly for the needs of Washington families, businesses, workers, students and frontline health care workers. This agreement not only funds the government and provides COVID-19 relief, but also includes a historic phase-down of climate super pollutants, as well as new measures that will reduce health care costs for Washingtonians. Our state will be better equipped for the challenges and opportunities ahead because of their efforts.”
IN OTHER STATE HEADLINE NEWS
Inslee announces authorization of Moderna vaccine by Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup.
It’s a deal. More unemployment payments, stimulus checks could be headed to Washington soon---The Olympian
https://www.theolympian.com/news/state/washington/article247947005.html
As he lobs fraud claims, losing Republican candidate Loren Culp’s own campaign spending draws questions
Loren Culp's efforts to sow doubt about the election have failed to draw support, and some fellow Republicans say the way he spent donor money raises red flags. A payment Culp made to himself appears to be the largest-ever for a candidate in Washington.---Seattle Times
Essential trips only on Washington State Ferries this holiday season, WSDOT asks--Seattle Times
(3) IN TODAY'S HEADLINE NEWS
WORLD HEADINE NEWS:
Fruits and vegetables crucial for healthy lives, sustainable world: Guterres.
The United Nations is marking 2021 as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, spotlighting their vital role in human nutrition and food security, as well as urging efforts to improve sustainable production and reduce waste. ---UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1080492
Joint UN-INTERPOL operation disrupts firearms supply to terrorist networks in West Africa and Sahel
An international operation coordinated jointly by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the international police organization INTERPOL has disrupted trafficking networks that supply terrorist groups across West Africa and the Sahel, the UN agency reported on Monday. ---UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1080512
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Situation in the Middle East (via VTC)---USUN
Additional Restrictions on the Issuance of Visas for People’s Republic of China Officials Engaged in Human Rights Abuses--US STATE DEPT.
NATIONAL HEADLINES
Executive Order on Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture--WH
Attorney General William P. Barr Delivers Remarks at the Pan Am 103 Press Conference--DOJ
Medal of Honor Monday: Marine Corps Cpl. Larry Smedley--DOD
FHA EXTENDS OPTIONS FOR SINGLE FAMILY BORROWERS FINANCIALLY IMPACTED BY COVID-19
Extensions ensure borrowers can continue to seek assistance and avoid eviction and foreclosure while maintaining temporary policy flexibilities for lenders and servicers---HUD
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_214
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Treasury Identifies Cuban State-Owned Businesses for Sanctions Evasion---US TREASURY
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1217
Treasury Sanctions Three Nicaraguan Officials Supporting Ortega Regime--US TREASURY
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1218
Federal Reserve Board votes to affirm the Countercyclical Capital Buffer (CCyB) at the current level of 0 percent.
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/bcreg20201218c.htm
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR’S OSHA ANNOUNCES $3,646,228 IN CORONAVIRUS VIOLATIONS---US LABOR DEPT.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20201218
(4) HEADLINES YOU WON'T SEE IN MSM
Barr Rejects Special Counsel for Hunter Biden Probe
Joe Biden will soon be able to sweep the matter under the rug.--Patriot Post
https://patriotpost.us/articles/76618-barr-rejects-special-counsel-for-hunter-biden-probe-2020-12-21
The Stealing of the Presidency, 2020---NEWS BUSTERS
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/rich-noyes/2020/11/24/special-report-stealing-presidency-2020
New Trump Petition Asks Supreme Court to Overturn Pennsylvania Election Results--NEWS MAX
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/pennsylvania-supreme-court-election-2020/2020/12/20/id/1002427/
All The People Who Should Be Embarrassed About The Latest Hunter Biden News, Ranked
Two months after the New York Post published its series of exposés on Hunter Biden, new information has revealed a lot of people with a lot to be embarrassed about.--THE Federalist
The ‘Great’ Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
Skywatchers are in for an end-of-year treat. What has become known popularly as the “Christmas Star” is an especially vibrant planetary conjunction easily visible in the evening sky over the next two weeks as the bright planets Jupiter and Saturn come together, culminating on the night of Dec. 21.
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/the-great-conjunction-of-jupiter-and-saturn
That's happening tonight watch the skies South West. If you can!
TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE
Luke 2:6-7 (New King James Version)
So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
