Statement by AASCU President and CEO Charles L. Welch on Final Passage of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’
Contact:
Kellee Edmonds
(202) 478-4662
WASHINGTON, July 3, 2025 – “After months of drafting and crafting, Congress has finally passed President Donald Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act,’ which now heads to the president’s desk for final signature. Never has the federal government divested itself of financial responsibility to such an extent, imperiling previously stretched state and local budgets as they seek to cover newly obligated burdens.
Regional public universities understand that state investment in higher education is often the first victim of tightened budgets, a reality that many institutions will soon revisit. With this in mind, we must put our profound disappointment in the reconciliation bill aside as we refocus on the critical work of the annual appropriations process. The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) urges Congress to reassert its constitutionally endowed authority over government expenditures, eliminating executive overreach and fully funding the programs, grants, and institutions that serve our nation’s postsecondary students.
Disagreements over the legislation aside, AASCU wishes to express its appreciation to Chairman Bill Cassidy, the senators, and staff of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee for considering and adopting revisions requested by the higher education community. The final education provisions included in the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ were a stark improvement over the original House proposal. AASCU looks forward to being an active participant in future higher education policy discussions.”
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The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association that represents the sector of over 500 regional public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to underrepresented student populations, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural development. These are institutions delivering America’s promise.
