[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 140 (Monday, September 28, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H6279-H6281]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1630
                 HIGHER EDUCATION EXTENSION ACT OF 2015

  Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 3594) to extend temporarily the Federal Perkins 
Loan program, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3594

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Higher Education Extension 
     Act of 2015''.

     SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON 
                   INSTITUTIONAL QUALITY AND INTEGRITY.

       Section 114(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 1011c(f)) is amended by striking ``2015'' and 
     inserting ``2016''.

     SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF FEDERAL PERKINS LOAN PROGRAM.

       (a) Authority To Make Loans.--Section 461 of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087aa) is amended--
       (1) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
       ``(b) Authority To Make Loans.--
       ``(1) In general.--With respect to any student who is not 
     described in paragraph (2), an institution of higher 
     education may make loans under this part to such a student 
     until September 30, 2016, from the student loan fund 
     established under this part by the institution.
       ``(2) Additional loans for certain students.--With respect 
     to any student who has received a loan made under this part 
     for an academic year ending prior to October 1, 2016, an 
     institution of higher education that has most recently made 
     such a loan to the student for an academic program at such 
     institution may continue making loans under this part through 
     March 31, 2018, from the student loan fund established under 
     this part by the institution to enable the student to 
     continue or complete such academic program, but only if the 
     institution has awarded all Federal Direct Stafford Loans for 
     which such student is eligible.
       ``(3) Prohibition on additional appropriations.--No funds 
     are authorized to be appropriated under this Act or any other 
     Act to carry out the functions described in paragraphs (1) 
     and (2) for any fiscal year following fiscal year 2015.''; 
     and
       (2) by striking subsection (c).
       (b) Distribution of Assets From Student Loan Funds.--
     Section 466 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1087ff) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``After September 30, 2003, and not later than March 31, 
     2004'' and inserting ``Beginning October 1, 2016''; and
       (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2003'' and inserting 
     ``2016''; and
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``After October 1, 
     2012'' and inserting ``Beginning October 1, 2016''.
       (c) Additional Extensions Not Permitted.--Section 422 of 
     the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1226a) shall 
     not apply to further extend the duration of--
       (1) the authority under paragraph (1) of section 461(b) of 
     the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087aa(b)), as 
     amended by subsection (a)(1) of this section, beyond 
     September 30, 2016, on the basis of the extension under such 
     subsection; or
       (2) the authority under paragraph (2) of section 461(b) of 
     the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087aa(b)), as 
     amended by subsection (a)(1) of this section, beyond March 
     31, 2018, on the basis of the extension under such 
     subsection.

     SEC. 4. EXTENSION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON STUDENT FINANCIAL 
                   ASSISTANCE.

       Section 491(k) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 1098(k)) is amended by striking ``2015'' and inserting 
     ``2016''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Smith of Nebraska). Pursuant to the 
rule, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bishop) and the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Pocan) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill, H.R. 3594.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume, and rise in support of the Higher Education Extension Act 
of 2015.
  Mr. Speaker, this week, several provisions of the Higher Education 
Extension Act are set to expire, including the Perkins Loan Program.
  For several decades, the Perkins Loan Program has provided low-
interest-rate loans to college students with severe financial need. If 
we allow this program to expire, it would be at a time when our 
Nation's higher education system is failing many students trying to 
earn a college degree and a lifetime of opportunity and success.
  College costs continue to soar, new rules and regulations discourage 
innovation and deny access, and students are struggling to complete 
their education, not to mention find good-paying jobs.
  This is a very bleak reality facing students from my home State of 
Michigan and across the country. The American people deserve better. 
Students and families in my district and across the country deserve 
better, and my three children, who will one day in the not-so-distant 
future begin their college careers, deserve better. The reauthorization 
of the Higher Education Extension Act presents Congress an opportunity 
to strengthen higher education for students, families, and taxpayers.
  My colleagues and I have already proposed a number of responsible 
reforms that promise to promote innovation, strengthen transparency, 
and help students complete their education. Members are also working to 
streamline the confusing maze of financial programs so that students 
can get the support they need.
  As we continue our efforts to reauthorize the law, now is not the 
time to turn our backs on the students who rely on the Perkins Loan 
Program for their college education. Now is the time to help meet the 
immediate need of students in Michigan and across our country, and the 
Higher Education Extension Act of 2015 will do just exactly that.
  This bipartisan proposal will extend for 1 year the Perkins Loan 
Program, allowing participating colleges and universities to continue 
to service their borrowers. It will also allow current Perkins 
recipients who remain in the same academic program to be eligible to 
receive those funds through March 2018. The legislation will also 
extend other provisions in the Higher Education Extension Act that aim 
to support students, institutions, and policymakers.
  Finally, let me note for my colleagues and the American people, by 
reforming the Perkins Loan Program, we ensure that this legislation is 
fully paid for, at no additional cost to taxpayers.
  I am proud to lead this bipartisan effort with the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Pocan), who shares my commitment to helping other 
students achieve their dream of a college education.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the Higher 
Education Extension Act of 2015.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 3594, the Higher Education Extension 
Act, and I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Bishop, as well as my 
colleagues, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Messer, and Ranking Member Scott, for 
their leadership on this issue.
  This bill would extend the Perkins Loan Program for 1 year. Perkins 
loans are need-based loans which foster access to higher education for 
low-income students by providing low-interest loans to students in 
need. Colleges and universities tailor the program to best fit 
borrowers' and educational institutions' situations.
  Perkins is a risk-sharing program, with institutions contributing 
one-third of their students' awards. This ``ownership interest'' also 
contributes to the successful management of this vital program.
  We have only 2 days before the Perkins Loan Program is set to expire, 
so we must act immediately.
  Since its inception in 1958, over $28 billion in loans have been made 
to students through almost 26 million aid awards. Perkins Loan 
borrowers are predominantly from lower income families and are often 
the first in their family to attend college.

[[Page H6280]]

  Perkins loans have a set interest rate of 5 percent, which begins to 
accrue 9 months after the borrower ceases to be a student. However, 
this program has not been reauthorized since the 2009 fiscal year.
  Besides making higher education accessible for lower income students, 
this program serves as an incentive for people who wish to go into a 
public service by offering targeted loan cancellations for specific 
progression in areas of national need, including teaching, nursing, and 
law enforcement.
  Earlier this year, I introduced a bipartisan resolution in support of 
the Perkins loans with Congressman Messer of Indiana, H. Res. 294, with 
56 cosponsors. My colleague Representative Louise Slaughter, a leader 
on this issue, offered a letter with more than 90 bipartisan signatures 
in support of this important program. Over 33 groups and higher 
educational institutions have supported this bill's reauthorization.
  Bottom line, the Perkins Loan Program has helped millions of students 
and families struggling to find a way to pay for college. I applaud my 
colleague across the aisle, specifically, a thank-you to Mr. Bishop, 
for helping to ensure students have access to Federal financial aid 
that they need to make college affordable and accessible.

  I urge support of this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Oregon (Ms. Bonamici).
  Ms. BONAMICI. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Bishop and Congressman Pocan for 
introducing H.R. 3594, the Higher Education Extension Act.
  I would also like to thank Chairman Kline and Ranking Member Scott 
for supporting a bipartisan effort to avoid the expiration of the 
Federal Perkins Loan Program, a program that helps make college 
affordable for low-income students across the country.
  In my district in Oregon, across the State, and across the country, 
colleges and universities use the Perkins Loan Program to expand access 
to higher education. For example, Linfield College and Pacific 
University, in my district, award Perkins loans to hundreds of 
students; and University of Oregon and Oregon State University 
distribute Perkins loans to thousands, providing a clear benefit to 
students who have significant financial need.
  As Congress works to reauthorize the Higher Education Extension Act, 
it is important that we continue to increase access to affordable 
higher education.
  I commend my colleague for introducing the Higher Education Extension 
Act, and I ask all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
bipartisan bill.
  Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. DeSaulnier).
  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for this 
bipartisan effort, and I want to thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I rise today also in support of the Higher Education Extension Act.
  The Perkins Loan Program provides low-interest loans to economically 
disadvantaged students to help finance their postsecondary educations.
  The Perkins Loan Program assisted nearly 540,000 American students 
nationwide in the 2013-2014 academic year by providing $1.2 billion in 
loans. More than 1,500 colleges and universities across the United 
States participate in this popular program.
  While the Perkins Loan Program is sometimes viewed as benefiting 
students predominately in the Northeast, California is the second 
largest recipient. In California, more than 46,000 students received 
these loans last year. These loans resulted in more than $105 million 
in the last year to California students.
  Students from across the country who attend California schools, like 
Saint Mary's College in my district, are able to receive a top-notch 
education through assistance programs like the Perkins Loan Program. 
Increasing access and improving affordability translates to increased 
opportunities for students and improves the Nation's economy by 
ensuring that today's students are tomorrow's highly trained workforce.
  This bill is a necessary step to ensuring that our students continue 
to receive the assistance they need and deserve. I urge my colleagues 
to support this bill.
  Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New 
York (Ms. Slaughter), who has been a leader on this issue.
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I 
am very grateful to Mr. Bishop and to Mr. Messer and Mr. Pocan and all 
others who worked on this really important issue.
  Mr. Speaker, the Perkins Loan Program is 57 years old. It is the 
Nation's longest running Federal student loan program. It is unlike any 
other Federal student aid program because this critical program is 
specifically directed at helping low-income students afford the cost of 
higher education. It helps the deserving students who would not be able 
to afford a college education otherwise, students that save up and work 
hard for every credit that they earn.
  Without Perkins, 500,000 low-income students across the country, 
nearly 50,000 from the State of New York and over 6,000 in my district 
alone, would not have access to a critical safety net.
  The Perkins Loan fills the gaps in student aid, and acts as a 
lifeline when unforeseen disruptions jeopardize a student's ability to 
pay for college. They offer an affordable alternative to private 
student loans and, furthermore, they are self-sustaining, meaning that 
as graduated students pay back their loans, they fund the current 
students' loans.
  This summer, 94 bipartisan colleagues joined me in a letter urging 
Chairman Kline and Ranking Member Scott to ensure that the Perkins Loan 
Program was not allowed to expire, and I am grateful for their help 
here on this today.
  I stood with students and the presidents of colleges and universities 
in my district, two of whom have received Perkins loans themselves, to 
voice support for the continuation of the program. Among the people 
attending were three medical students from the University of Rochester. 
Heaven knows, we cannot afford to lose the services of three medical 
students.
  I was also privileged to stand with my good friend Congressman Pocan 
and to hear from advocates and students who see and experience the 
benefits of the Perkins loans every day.
  While I strongly prefer a long-term reauthorization and look forward 
to working with my colleagues in the coming months to secure one, I am 
pleased that the Higher Education Extension Act succeeds in keeping the 
program alive, ensures that next year's incoming class will be able to 
access Perkins loans, and buys us some time to secure a lasting 
extension.
  I urge passage of this bill for all those students whose education 
dreams depend on having the Perkins loans.
  Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I just want to again thank Representative Bishop for all your work on 
this--thank you very much--and Chairman Kline and Ranking Member Scott. 
This is, I think, a good example of how we can work together in a 
committee to make sure that higher educational needs are met.
  I represent about 75,000 higher education students. With UW Madison 
as the flagship, about 45,000 students, we have other campuses for the 
UW system, Beloit College and other smaller private colleges, Madison 
College and others.
  This is a really important program, not just back home in Wisconsin, 
but across the country; and the fact that we are able to get this done 
in a bipartisan manner shows how I think Congress can work its very 
best. So I urge my colleagues to support this.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank Mr. Pocan as well 
and all those that have come to support the bill.

[[Page H6281]]

  Helping more individuals access and complete higher education is a 
goal we all share. Research shows that students who earn a degree or 
credential are more likely to succeed in today's global economy.
  For example, those with an Associate Degree are expected to earn 27 
percent more than those with a high school diploma over the course of a 
lifetime, underscoring the value of higher education.

                              {time}  1645

  Unfortunately, less than 60 percent of students complete their 
studies within 6 years often because they can't afford to. Failure to 
pass the Higher Education Extension Act of 2015 will only make it more 
difficult for some students to access and complete their education.
  Students across the country--including in my home State of Michigan--
count on the Perkins Loan Program to help afford a college education. 
By supporting this responsible bipartisan legislation, we will deliver 
certainty to students and institutions as we continue to work on the 
reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 3594.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, as we pass the Higher Education Extension 
Act of 2015, I would like to emphasize the importance of higher 
education in assisting our young people in building the knowledge and 
skills that will allow them to succeed in the workforce and, 
ultimately, help U.S. businesses and industry to compete in the global 
market.
  Michigan is home to many outstanding colleges and universities and I 
often speak with families throughout the 14th District and the state 
about the financial burden created by the increasing cost of higher 
education. Like many Americans, I firmly believe that making higher 
education more affordable and accessible should be among our foremost 
priorities. During a recent trip to my District, I spoke with a student 
who held a full-time job while in school because her family could not 
afford her tuition. Although work can be extremely rewarding and helps 
to build a strong work-ethic, students who are forced to work long 
hours and attend school full-time often suffer diminished academic 
success.
  Since 1986, the Federal Perkins Loan Program has been an essential 
part of college financial aid packages because it provides a long-term 
and low-interest alternative to expensive private loans for students. 
Extending the Perkins Loan Program will provide lower income students 
with the funding they need to attend college with their full focus on 
their education. Additionally, the cost of this extension is not borne 
by taxpayers. Rather, the Perkins Loan Program fully funds itself when 
past loan recipients pay-off the balance of their loan.
  I am proud that our Chamber has taken this important step toward 
ensuring all young people have the opportunity to benefit from a world 
class education. I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle for supporting the fight to make higher education affordable and 
accessible for all Americans.
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which 
would extend the Perkins Loan program for one year, so that students 
who have demonstrated exceptional financial need can complete their 
undergraduate or graduate education in order to become academically 
qualified to join our workforce.
  Historically, Perkins loans have served our students well by offering 
low-cost loans with flexible repayment terms and generous forgiveness 
options. They are often the difference between whether or not our 
students can afford to attend college, including 12,000 students in 
Texas.
  For the academic year 2013-2014, nearly 500,000 students who needed 
financial assistance were awarded nearly $1 billion in Perkins loans. 
And throughout its 57-year history, more than 30 million students with 
need have benefited from this program.
  The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the federal 
government will reclaim nearly $5 billion in revenue from Perkins loans 
over the next ten years. That is $5 billion that should be returned to 
students to help keep college affordable for the most financially 
challenged students. And that is $5 billion that would have been lost 
if the program is not extended.
  Without Perkins loans, schools would lose the necessary flexibility 
to help students cover their expenses after federal grants and Stafford 
loans are applied or unforeseen circumstances jeopardize a student's 
ability to pay for college.
  If we want the United States of America to remain a global leader 
with the competitive edge necessary to sustain economic growth and job 
creation, we need the best, most highly trained workforce to sustain 
our advantages. The Perkins Loan program is a major part of helping our 
students develop, reach for and join that workforce.
  For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of 
the aisle to extend the federal Perkins Loan program.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bishop) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 3594.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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