[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 132 (Thursday, September 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2305-E2306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           STUDENT AID AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 16, 2009

       The House in committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3221) to 
     amend the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Chair, I am proud today to support House 
Resolution 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. This is 
long-overdue legislation that will provide funding directly to 
students, rather than to bankers. In addition, this bill expands a 
successful, much needed program to help more students go to college, 
supports job

[[Page E2306]]

training at a time when millions of Americans are searching for ways to 
survive in a tough and changing economy, simplifies the financial aid 
process to make it easier for families to apply, and supports early 
childhood education so that more children graduate from high school and 
proceed to higher education. At the same time, this bill streamlines 
government programs to put an additional $87 billion back into the 
federal budget over ten years.
  I've heard from individuals in my home state about how this bill 
would impact their lives. It will mean that 20,594 students will be 
eligible for Pell Grants next year and the 107,677 Oregon students who 
applied for subsidized loans last year will be guaranteed low interest 
rates. An additional $1.6 million per year will go towards Oregon's 
College Access Challenge Grant program, which will have a huge impact 
on the 25,000 students who use it to help prepare for and make 
undergraduate and graduate work affordable. I am also pleased that the 
bill reinvests in our community colleges. I am impressed by the work 
that the two community colleges in my district, Portland Community 
College and Mt. Hood Community College, have done to help individuals 
struggling to prepare themselves for a changing economy. I am pleased 
that President Obama has recognized the importance of higher education 
and the need to make it accessible and affordable in today's changing 
economy.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Student Aid and 
Fiscal Responsibility Act.

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