Ranking Member Scott Statement on Workforce Pell Proposed Rule

Ranking Member Scott Statement on Workforce Pell Proposed Rule

WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Department of Education (ED) proposed a new rule regarding the Workforce Pell Grant program.

"Expanding Pell Grant access to support students seeking short-term training programs, such as IT, health care, finance, and welding courses, has long been a bipartisan priority. Although I did not support Congressional Republicans' 'Big, Ugly Bill' when it was considered in the House, I do support expanding access to the Pell Grant for shorter-term training programs. My biggest concern has always been creating accountability measures to ensure students will have access to high-quality programs.

"Today's proposed rule has some guardrails, but more needs to be done to ensure students receive adequate instruction and stackable credentials from programs to be successful in the job market. Moreover, I am concerned that the Trump Administration's dismantling of the Department of Education will make it virtually impossible to enforce this rule.

"If implemented properly, expanding Pell Grant access could create new opportunities for Americans to gain in-demand skills and help them compete in the modern economy."

Background: Proposals to expand Pell Grant access to shorter-term programs have passed the House of Representatives in two previous Congresses. It was first passed in the 117^th Congress as part of the America COMPETES Act, and then again in the 118^th Congress as the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Grant Act, which was led by Ranking Member Scott and then-Chairwoman Virginia Foxx.

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