Latest from Lamar, Notes from the Senate Desk

*Important news from
this week: *

-
I introduced legislation to simplify the FAFSA -
a complicated form 400,000 Tennesseans fill out each year to receive
federal and state aid to attend college. Former Governor Bill Haslam
has called this the single biggest impediment to students enrolling in
Tennessee Promise.

-
This week was the one year anniversary of
President Trump signing the SUPPORT Act - bipartisan legislation I
sponsored to help states like Tennessee combat the opioid crisis.

-

Chattanooga this week celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Tennessee
Riverpark. Chattanooga does a good job of celebrating what it's got.
From the aquarium, to the Hunter Museum of Art, to the Riverwalk, the
city has so much to offer.



*Making it easier for Tennessee
students to attend college *

This week, I introduced legislation to
simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a form that
nearly 20 million families, and 400,000 Tennesseans, fill out every
year to apply for federal and state student aid. The 108-question FAFSA
is one of the biggest challenges low-income students who want to go to
college face. Former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam told me that
Tennessee has the highest rate of filling out the FAFSA, but it is still
the single biggest impediment to more students enrolling in Tennessee
Promise, our state's free, two-year community college program.

My
bill will simplify the FAFSA and reduce the number of questions to 18-30
basic questions about a student, their family, and their plans for
college. It will also greatly reduce the need for the burdensome
verification process that stops a student's Pell grant payment while their
family scrambles to submit their federal tax information and will allow
students as young as middle school to easily learn about their likely
Pell grant award so they can begin to plan for college.



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Here is the FAFSA - to give you an idea of just
how long and complex it is. Reducing this form to 18-30 questions
would be a big help to Tennessee students.









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On Friday, I received the Jackson Award from
the Andrew Jackson Foundation. I am grateful for the work the
foundation does to ensure future generations know the stories of President
Andrew Jackson. Learning this history is important so we can understand
what is happening today and how to navigate tomorrow.












*Urging the U.S. Trade Representative to work towards "zero
tariffs, zero barriers" *

This week, I urged U.S. Trade
Representative Robert Lighthizer to update and improve the process for granting
exclusions from tariffs on certain imported goods from China. A tariff
exclusion is a process by which an American company can be protected
from harmful tariffs imposed on other countries.

I believe that the
Administration's broad-based tariffs have had a negative impact on
American companies, farmers, and consumers. I strongly support the
President's long-term goal of "zero tariffs, zero barriers" and believe we
should continue working towards that end. The Administration is right
to focus efforts on combating unfair trade practices by China, but
while tariffs remain in place, there is a need to update and improve the
current exclusion process and better inform businesses on how to
respond appropriately and make the necessary adjustments.

Several
Tennessee companies have shared with me their frustrations about the lack of
transparency and understanding of the exclusion process. Many have
altered supply chains, shifted production, and taken steps to absorb the
impact of these tariffs as best they can. However, a clear explanation
of the exclusion process remains critical for businesses to receive
much-needed relief on the products they import that are subject to
tariffs. International trade is crucial to Tennessee's industries, and we
should be careful not to discourage investment and economic growth as
it will negatively affect many American businesses. Specifically,
Tennessee's reliance on imports from China is higher than any other state,
with 7.3% of the state's gross domestic product consisting of Chinese
imports.



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I enjoyed meeting with Dr.
Susan Wente, Interim Chancellor at Vanderbilt University, a great
example of a university committed to student success and academic
achievement.















*Below are some articles
from this week I thought you would enjoy:*

*The Leaf Chronicle:
Column by Lamar Alexander: FAFSA so complex that it stops students who
most need aid from getting it [link 1]*

*Johnson City Press: Lawmakers
seek to simplify FAFSA, ETSU official supports move* [link
2]

*WBIR-NBC Knoxville Channel 10: Sen. Alexander introduces bill to simplify
'long and complicated' federal financial aid process* [link
3]

Drive through Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains.

*#185 in Lamar
Alexander's Little Plaid Book*




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