Education
Education is one of the most powerful tools we can give our children. From early education all the way through graduate studies and beyond, Brian strongly believes that all students should be given an equal chance to succeed. In order to prepare students to enter the workforce, Higgins has been a strong advocate for math and science education, in addition to workforce training programs, to give students the marketable skills they need to compete in a globalized economy. Brian has also been outspoken on the need to make higher education more affordable to reduce the skyrocketing education debt burden faced by so many recent graduates.
More on Education
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced $1.6 million in additional federal funding for the Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Investment Board (WIB). The funding, which is allocated through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families, will be directed to the WIB’s Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG) program. The program previously received two five-year awards; this extends WIB’s successful HPOG program for an 11th year.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced approval of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act. The bill, co-sponsored by Higgins, dedicates more than $1.5 trillion to rebuilding America’s infrastructure and creating American jobs.
(To access video go to: https://youtu.be/zHb4yEFHlwo)
Fighting to protect students defrauded by predatory, for-profit colleges, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) voted to override President Trump’s veto of a Resolution rejecting the new Department of Education “Borrower Defense Rule.” A bipartisan majority of members in the House of Representatives voted in favor (238-173) but the measure did not receive the two-thirds vote needed for a veto override.
As Western New York continues to battle the novel coronavirus, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) joined D’Youville College in announcing a federal grant for the college’s nursing program. Allocated by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the grant will give D’Youville $707,983 to help address a shortage of faculty available to educate future nurses.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) is part of bipartisan group of U.S. House of Representatives members and Senators fighting to see that National Guard members receive the benefits they deserve.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced the House of Representatives has approved the Heroes Act, the fourth emergency bill directed at addressing the resources and relief desperately needed by to communities battling COVID-19.
The broad legislative package includes funding for healthcare, protections for workers, support for schools and small businesses impacted by the outbreak, resources to address food insecurity and other needs for those out of work, and direct funding for state and local governments.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced the award of a $227,778 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to University at Buffalo (UB) for the development of a new damping system assessment based on real time wind simulations on tall building models under Engineer and Researcher Dr. Teng Wu.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced an additional $690,559 in federal funding for several local colleges and the students they serve.
Higgins said, “Access to education is challenging under the current public health emergency. These additional resources will help colleges continue to reach students and keep students on a path to graduation.”
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced Western New York college students and institutions are scheduled to receive more than $68.8 million dollars in federal funding provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act approved by Congress on March 27th.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced $204,845 in federal funding for the Buffalo Niagara Freedom Station Coalition for protection and rehabilitation of the Michigan Street Baptist Church. The funding is provided through the National Park Service’s (NPS) African American Civil Rights Grant Program.