Murray on Biden’s Free Community College Proposal in the American Families Plan: “A Bold First Step”

Senator Murray: “In order to build back an economy that works for everyone, we need to ensure all students can get the education and skills they need succeed.”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on President Biden’s proposal to guarantee two years of free community college as part of the American Families Plan. Yesterday, Senator Murray joined Senator Baldwin, Congressman Levin, and Congressman Scott in introducing the America’s College Promise Act, which the American Families Plan is modeled after, to create federal-state partnerships to help states waive tuition and fees for two years of community and technical college programs.

“Every student deserves the opportunity to get a higher education and have a shot at success. But right now, students and families are struggling with sky-rocketing college costs and drowning in student debt—and this crisis has only been made worse by the economic recession.

“I’m so glad to see that President Biden understands that in order to build back an economy that works for everyone, we need to ensure all students can get the education and skills they need succeed. Providing free community college is bold first step to make college more affordable and provide students pathways to higher education and workforce training without debt. As a former community college instructor in Washington State, I’ve seen first-hand that these institutions can change students’ lives—so I’ll be fighting hard to get the President’s free community college plan signed into law.”

Senator Murray has long fought to make college more affordable for students across the country, and has supported free community college since then-President Obama proposed his plan in 2015. This week, she introduced the America’s College Promise Act, which the American Families Plan is modeled after, alongside Senator Baldwin, Congressman Levin, and Congressman Scott.

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