News · Press Release

DCCC Launches Digital Ads Against Stefanik for Voting to Freeze Pell Grants [PHOTO]

SETFANIK

Campaign During American Education Week Reminds Students and Families in New York’s 21st Congressional District that Stefanik Voted for Cut to Education Program

As voters in the North Country celebrate the importance of schools and educators during American Education Week, the DCCC is launching a paid digital advertising campaign today reminding voters of Congresswoman Stefanik’s vote for the House Republican budget’s drastic cuts to education programs.

Students and families in the district will be delivered ads online and on mobile calling out Stefanik and Speaker Paul Ryan on their vote to freeze the maximum Pell Grant award, making it harder for North Country students and families to pay for college.

Given that in 2012, Stefanik signed up to help Ryan defend his notorious “Ryan Budget” as a debate prep coach during the 2012 presidential campaign, it’s no surprise that she voted with him and House Republicans to freeze the maximum Pell Grant award for ten years, effectively cutting the grant program. According to federal data, students and families in New York’s 21st congressional district received more than $55 million in assistance to help pay for college in FY2015.

“Stefanik’s vote to cut Pell Grants hurts North Country families and college students who rely on the tuition assistance program to pay their way through school,” said Bryan Lesswing of the DCCC. “This week, voters should remember that Stefanik and her close mentor Paul Ryan pushed to cut education funding for students of all ages.”

Just last month, Stefanik reaffirmed her support for Ryan’s vision –which includes dramatic cuts to student loans and higher education funding while doling out tax breaks for millionaires and multinational corporation – with her vote for Paul Ryan for Speaker of the House.

House Republican Budget Would Cut Pell Grants, Individuals in NY-21 Received Over $55 Million In Pell Grants in FY 2015.  According to New York Times the Republican Budget would “cut the size of Pell Grants, the popular federal financial aid program for higher education.” According to the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, New York’s Twenty-First District received more than $55 million in Pell grant funding in FY2015. [New York Times, 3/17/15; NAICU, accessed [11/19/15]





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