[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 25, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   H.R. 609 FAILS AMERICA'S STUDENTS

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                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 25, 2006

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I stand today in opposition to H.R. 609, 
the so-called ``College Access and Opportunity Act,'' because it 
creates greater problems in providing financial assistance for college 
students, and will lead to graduates inheriting greater debt. The 
Republicans have chosen to neglect young Americans who need assistance 
with the costs of higher education. A number of academic organizations 
oppose this legislation including The National Education Association, 
the United States Student Association, and The American Federation of 
Teachers. The Democratic alternative to this bill helps those students 
and their families who cannot afford the skyrocketing costs of college 
tuition in America today.
  This legislation is problematic because it produces a number of 
obstacles which could interfere with students' ability to pursue higher 
education. It fails to make college more affordable for Americans 
falling in the low- and middle-income brackets by prohibiting them from 
consolidating their loans while in school or during the six month grace 
period directly following graduation. The ``College Access and 
Opportunity Act'' also revokes a student's ability to secure a low 
fixed-interest rate. In addition, it bars married couples from 
consolidating their student loans with their spouses.
  The Republicans claim they are for strengthening Pell grants when the 
truth is that over the last four years, their legislation has done the 
exact opposite. In 2000, the maximum Pell grant covered about 41% of 
tuition expenses. Now, in 2006, the maximum Pell grant barely covers a 
third of tuition expenses. Students are unable to cover this gap. This 
bill creates problems in the long run which will prevent millions of 
students from attending college simply because they cannot afford it 
and because the Republicans in Congress have refused to make higher 
education a priority.
  Students and their families deserve more than what this resolution 
offers. That is why I will be supporting the more comprehensive 
approach found in the Democratic alternative, the Miller-Kildee-Scott-
Davis-Grijalva amendment.
  The Democratic alternative offers many benefits to college students 
and their families. It cuts the college loan fixed interest rate in 
half from 6.8% to 3.4%. This will provide protection to students who 
use loans to finance their education. The Democratic alternative also 
provides funding for programs that support low-income black and 
Hispanic students.
  Today nearly two-thirds of all American college students graduate 
with debt--up from one-third in 1993--and a typical student borrower 
graduates from college with $17,500 in debt. The Republicans in 
Congress have taken $12.5 billion dollars out of student aid accounts 
to pay for their tax cuts and now, with this bill, students will suffer 
the burden of higher interest rates, new fees, and more debt while in 
school and after graduation. Congress should create more opportunity 
for America's student, not less. H.R. 609 hurts students and their 
families who cannot afford the cost of higher education.

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