Following is a statement by Association of American Universities President Mary Sue Coleman on the final passage of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act;
While I applaud the efforts of many in Congress to improve the tax bill that passed today, the bill in its final form will harm our students, families, local communities, and the nonprofit universities that have long served them.
As part of the government-university partnership, America’s research universities have enabled our country’s rise to global economic and technological preeminence. A federal siphoning of the funds that support student aid programs will make college less affordable and less accessible for our country’s students, undermining our national interest in cultivating an educated, high-skilled workforce. Sending the funds that support innovative research back to the IRS will weaken our ability to find new medical treatments, cures, and technologies that contribute to our economy and national security.
It's a sad day when federal lawmakers choose Washington over hardworking American students and their families.
#####
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.