This hearing of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions examines the role of states in higher education. Following opening statements by Honorable Tom Harkin (Chairman, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions) and Honorable Lamar Alexander (U.S. Senator from the State of Tennessee), the following senators provide statements: (1) Honorable Al Franken, a U.S. Senator from the State of Minnesota; (2) Honorable Johnny Isakson, a U.S. Senator from the State of Georgia; (3) Honorable Elizabeth Warren, a U.S. Senator from the State of Massachusetts; (4) Honorable Christopher Murphy, a U.S. Senator from the State of Connecticut; and (5) Honorable Patty Murray, a U.S. Senator from the State of Washington. Prepared witness statements are offered by: (1) Eric Kaler, Ph.D., President, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; (2) Teresa Lubbers, Commissioner, Indiana Commission for Higher Education, Indianapolis, Indiana; (3) Honorable Lisa Madigan, Attorney General, State of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois; and (4) Laura Perna, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of the Higher Education Division, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Additional materials include: (1) Georgia State University, Complete College Georgia, 2013 Status Report; and (2) Letters: Coalition of Higher Education Assistance Organizations (COHEAO), Washington, DC and Campus Partners, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.