Oregon Senators Call For Funds For Farmworker Students

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and California Senator Alex Padilla are calling on the Department of Education to protect federal funding for farmworker students.

In a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon, the lawmakers are urging the timely release of funds for two programs — the High School Equivalency Program and the College Assistance Migrant Program.  Together, those programs serve more than 8,000 students nationwide from agricultural families.

The senators warned in their letter delays could jeopardize students’ ability to earn diplomas and succeed in college, with ripple effects for rural communities and the workforce.  They added the programs have a more than 50-year legacy and any disruption could cause “irreversible damage.”

Nine other senators signed off on the letter, including Oregon’s Ron Wyden.

Lawmakers are also pressing to release more than $52 million already approved for the programs.

Click Here to read the entire letter.

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