Fighting for our Future - a message from Joe Courtney

It is an American legacy for each generation to make life better for the next. Unfortunately, the prior Congress started down a direction of leaving our children, and our children's children saddled with debt, a broken health care system, skyrocketing education costs and a crumbling environment.

As a father of two, I take personally the charge of the 110th Congress to working longer hours, emphasizing new priorities and to genuinely chart a new direction by investing in the future.

Recently I was honored to be one of the only House members to join Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the enrollment ceremony for the College Cost Reduction Act. This bill not only signifies the largest investment in higher education since the GI Bill in 1944, but hope for students and families that their dreams of going to college may become a reality. Click here to read more.

I successfully introduced an amendment to this bill which increases Pell Grant funding by $900 million, meaning the average Pell Grant awarded will increase by over $1000. This will translate into real savings in the pockets of students and their families.

Make no mistake-this historic legislation had to overcome strong opposition from Republican congressmen, lobbyists for the banks, and veto threats from President Bush. But at the end of the day, we prevailed and George Bush blinked. He signed the law on September 27th.

I greatly appreciate your support as we continue to bring about real change in Washington.

Sincerely,

Congressman Joe Courtney