[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 142 (Wednesday, September 13, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H8813]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE TRUTH ABOUT THE STUDENT LOAN PROGRAMS

  (Mr. BALLENGER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, the Washington political machine seems 
often to operate under shades of truth, as if the difference between 
truth and fabrication cannot be seen. This rule has never been more 
evident than in the President's recent comments about our student loan 
proposals. The use of misinformation is a cheap tool used by those in a 
defensive position with no valid arguments against the real truth.
  If one sifts through the lies being spread about our work in the 
student loan area, one would clearly see that we
 are not waging a war against our Nations students nor are we planning 
to lessen educational opportunities for them. By eliminating the Direct 
Loan Program, a program with exaggerated savings and benefits, and 
making other adjustments in the student loan area, which will make 
loans available to students, we are able to ensure that no student will 
lose eligibility or access to college loans, keep the inschool interest 
subsidy, and maintain the current loan origination fee and interest 
rates on student loans. That is the plain and simple truth. And, 
because the truth is politically unpalatable to the President, he has 
chosen to create his own truth.

  America's students deserve to get accurate and reliable information. 
I urge all of my colleagues, from both sides of the aisle, to get the 
accurate information on this important issue.

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