APLU Applauds Final Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations Agreement

Washington, DC – Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) President Peter McPherson today released the following statement regarding a bipartisan agreement on a Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations package.

“APLU applauds House passage of the end-of-year bipartisan, bicameral appropriations agreement and urges swift passage in the Senate. The two packages of appropriations measures along with the attached tax extenders would enhance the ability of our nation’s public research universities to advance their education, research and community engagement missions.

“Increases in the maximum Pell Grant combined with increases to Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants and Federal Work Study would boost affordability, helping students access and excel in higher education. Combined with significant wins for students in the recently passed FUTURE Act, student aid will be both easier to access and will make a modestly increased contribution to the costs borne by students and families.

“We’re particularly appreciative of increases to critical research accounts that will speed the search for cures and treatments for devastating illnesses and health problems that nearly every American knows either personally or through impacted loved ones. Congress has made a sustained commitment to funding the National Institutes of Health and the FY20 measure continues this important trend with an increase of $2.6 billion. Increases in research funded by NSF, NEH, NASA, NOAA, NIST, EPA and the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, and Energy will enhance U.S. global competitiveness, national security, and lead to innovations that grow our economy while improving quality of life.

“We greatly appreciate the bipartisan work to produce these critical measures and are proud to support passage.”