[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 11, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION IS IN DIRE STRAITS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, our postsecondary education system is in dire 
straits. Reforms are more necessary now than ever.
  To start with, income-driven repayment plans have left millions of 
borrowers trapped under a mountain of interest. Many of these borrowers 
have done everything right.
  They have been faithful to make their monthly payments, yet years 
later find they have made little to no progress on their principal. 
This can be extremely frustrating, especially for those who realize 
they have already paid back the original cost of the loan. This is the 
kind of problem that needs to be fixed.
  It is critical that we address the structural problems that plague 
our postsecondary education financing system for the students of 
tomorrow, but it is also crucial that we address the problems it has 
caused for the students who have already been harmed today.
  That is why House Republicans put in the work and offered a solution 
that fixes this broken system. That solution begins with the REAL 
Reforms Act.
  This legislation protects the interests of students and taxpayers by 
providing targeted relief for borrowers currently struggling while 
implementing lasting reforms to ensure it doesn't happen to future 
borrowers.
  This legislation also implements reforms to simplify the number of 
repayment options and caps unlimited graduate lending while ensuring 
college remains accessible and affordable to all Americans, regardless 
of their financial circumstances.
  It also saves taxpayers billions by eliminating runaway forgiveness 
programs that disproportionately benefit wealthier households.
  Together, these reforms will lower the cost of college for students, 
families, and taxpayers.
  In contrast, President Biden's radical student loan bailout will 
exacerbate tuition inflation while encouraging students to go deeper 
into debt.
  Blanket loan cancellation to the tune of $400 billion and enacting 
retroactive free college by expanding what were intended to be limited 
safety nets is fiscally irresponsible and morally indefensible.
  Republicans and Democrats agree on the problems, and we must come 
together to work toward a solution.
  For example, everyone agrees that postsecondary education should 
provide students and taxpayers a positive return on investment.
  There is bipartisan consensus that the cost of nonrepayment can no 
longer fall squarely on taxpayers.
  For far too long, colleges have been more focused on getting students 
in the door and have paid little mind to what happens once they are 
there or once they leave.
  Again, there is bipartisan consensus that this too needs to change. 
It is time for Congress to come together and fix the mess created by 
these failed policies.
  My Republican colleagues and I stand ready to work with the President 
and congressional Democrats to do so.


                       Republicans Stand for Life

  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans remain undeterred in our 
mission to protect the sanctity of human life and the rights of the 
unborn.
  Today, we will pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act 
and H. Con. Res. 3, which condemns violence against pro-life 
institutions and groups. By passing these two pieces of legislation, we 
are fulfilling the commitment we made to the American people to 
preserve a future that is built on freedom.
  Over the last 2 years, the American people witnessed unprecedented 
attacks both on the unborn and those who stand for life. Today, we are 
turning that tide. House Republicans are sending a unified message to 
the entire country and the world: Our new House majority stands for 
life.

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