[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 185 (Tuesday, November 19, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H8961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     SUPPORT COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Oregon (Ms. Bonamici) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
4674, the College Affordability Act. I am proud to be an original 
cosponsor of this comprehensive reauthorization of the Higher Education 
Act.
  The Federal role in education is centered on equity. When we promote 
and realize equity in education, when we expand and invest in 
educational opportunities, we can improve outcomes for all students, at 
all levels.
  President Johnson signed the first Higher Education Act into law in 
1965, more than 50 years ago. The goal was to make certain that no 
student is denied a college education because of a lack of resources. 
At that time, President Johnson said: ``This act means the path of 
knowledge is open to all that have the determination to walk it.''
  We have made some progress over the past 50-plus years. But for many 
students, especially first-generation and low-income students and many 
students of color, they have the determination, but there are still too 
many barriers for them to overcome.
  I am glad this bill addresses those barriers and includes several of 
my longtime priorities, informed by conversations I have had with 
students, community colleges, colleges, and universities across my home 
State of Oregon. These priorities include strengthening financial 
counseling for student borrowers and modernizing the Federal work-study 
program to direct resources to students who need it most.
  I have also heard from numerous student loan borrowers in northwest 
Oregon who describe loan repayment as anxiety-inducing, daunting, and 
overwhelming, which is why I have included language in the College 
Affordability Act to help protect many borrowers from default by 
getting and keeping them in manageable, income-driven repayment plans.
  Also, unfortunately, I have heard that housing and food insecurity 
are prevalent for too many students across this country. This bill 
includes language I authored, along with my Education and Labor 
Committee colleague Representative Takano, to address the issue of food 
insecurity by making sure that students who are eligible for SNAP are 
aware of their eligibility and have the support they need to secure 
those benefits.
  The College Affordability Act also increases Pell grant funding, 
supports school-based childcare centers, provides stronger 
accountability measures for institutions, creates an emergency grant 
program for students who encounter unexpected financial barriers, and 
makes urgently needed improvements to the public service loan 
forgiveness program.
  I am proud of the work that the Education and Labor Committee has 
done in crafting the College Affordability Act. I am grateful to 
Chairman Scott for his leadership. I urge all of my colleagues to 
support this crucial legislation when it comes to the floor as we 
continue our work to make college affordable and equitable for 
everyone.

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