Following is a statement by Association of American Universities President Mary Sue Coleman on the Senate’s passage of H.R. 6157, a FY19 spending bill that would fund the departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, and Education:
AAU applauds the Senate for approving robust FY19 investments in Department of Defense basic research and the National Institutes of Health. As part of the government-university partnership, our 60 U.S. universities seek cures and conduct cutting-edge defense research in the national interest. This increased investment will bolster our nation’s global leadership in science and technology and help ensure our universities can continue innovating on behalf of the American people and our service men and women.
AAU also commends the $100 increase to the maximum Pell Grant award and continued support of Year-round Pell. The Pell Grant helps ensure that all Americans, regardless of economic status, have the opportunity to attend college and gain the knowledge and skills required for the dynamic global economy.
We are encouraged by Congress’s bipartisan efforts on FY19 appropriations thus far and urge completion of appropriations before the start of the new fiscal year.
Founded in 1900, the Association of American Universities comprises 62 distinguished institutions that continually advance society through education, research, and discovery.
Our universities earn the majority of competitively awarded federal funding for academic research, are improving human life and wellbeing through research, and are educating tomorrow’s visionary leaders and global citizens.
AAU members collectively help shape policy for higher education, science, and innovation; promote best practices in undergraduate and graduate education; and strengthen the contributions of research universities to society.