[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12423]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        KEEP COLLEGE AFFORDABLE

  (Mr. GARCIA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, just last week, I had the privilege of 
speaking to students who attend Florida International University in my 
district. These students included Democrats, Republicans, and 
Independents. But their message was clear: it is time for Congress to 
help keep college affordable.
  That is why I have supported efforts to prevent and reverse the 
doubling of the Federal student loan rates that took effect on July 1. 
This issue is too important for us to delay any further.
  I was very encouraged that the Senate yesterday passed a strong 
bipartisan compromise bill to lower these rates. I urge the House 
leadership, Mr. Speaker, to bring this bill to the floor and keep 
college rates affordable for our Nation's students.

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