HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Martin Looney, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, and Senator Derek Slap, Senate Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, issued a statement condemning President Donald Trump’s latest attack on institutions of higher education. In an Executive Order announced Wednesday night, President Trump took aim at the accreditation process which allows approved institutions to accept Pell grants and federal student loans, which account for more than $120 billion a year nationwide.
“One of Connecticut’s greatest resources is our colleges and universities and our belief in higher education as a pathway to opportunity.
“Institutions of higher education have always enjoyed freedom from government overreach as they foster free thinking and educate the future leaders of our country. Through attacking accreditors, Donald Trump continues his witch hunt to quell educational freedom in favor of advancing his own political agenda.
“While attacking long-standing accreditation agencies, the President is encouraging the creation of new, Trump-approved accreditors who will no doubt pave the way for bad actor institutions to discriminate against their students, or perhaps for a Trump University 2.0.
“The Trump Administration is hell-bent on expanding the reach of the federal government into every classroom, doctor’s office, research lab, board room, law office and nearly every facet of American life. He is following a very specific and a very chilling playbook and we urge Republicans in Connecticut to remember our shared oath and take a stand for their constituents and for our democracy.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kevin Coughlin | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov | 203-710-0193
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