[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 1449-1450]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   COLLEGE STUDENT RELIEF ACT OF 2007

  (Mr. MICHAUD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this College 
Student Relief Act of 2007. This bill will help thousands of students 
throughout the State of Maine.
  Maine has one of the highest high school graduation rates in the 
country. However, only one out of four Mainers go on to complete 
college. That is because college costs are rising, and many Maine 
students cannot afford their tuition. Too many are being denied the 
opportunity that college provides.
  The legislation before us today would save students thousands of 
dollars on their loan repayment by cutting interest rates in half. 
Students in Maine beginning college in the fall of 2007 would save 
$2,107 on their loans, and those starting in 2011 would save $4,210.
  This bill is also consistent with the pay-as-you-go principle that my 
fellow Blue Dogs and I have long advocated and that the Speaker has 
committed to. So it will not increase the deficit one dime.
  I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation to help all the young 
people live the American Dream.

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