WASHINGTON, March 27 – Speaking at a rally by college students outside the U.S. Capitol, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today called college an “investment” in our future and promised to make it more affordable.

Sanders, the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, told students that he will continue to work on ways to prevent students from graduating with mountains of debt.

“Higher education is a strategic investment in our nation’s future,” Sanders said. “Education should be a right, not a privilege. We need a revolution in the way that the United States funds higher education. You are leading that revolution.  Keep up the good work.”

Sanders encouraged students from the United States Student Association to visit with elected leaders and talk about this issue so lawmakers understand the stakes of the ongoing budget debate.

Voting along party lines, Senate Republicans earlier today approved a budget blueprint that slashes Pell Grants by nearly $90 billion during the next 10 years. Sanders voted against that plan.

Senate and House budgets also omitted a proposal, supported by Sanders, to make community college tuition free for students who maintain a certain grade point average.

“You are facing crushing student loan debt and that debt is causing irreparable harm to middle-class families across America,” Sanders said.