Murray Statement on Senate Failing to Extend Perkins Loan Program Hours Before it Expires

Press Release

Hours before the Perkins Loan Program is set to expire, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released the following statement on the Senate's failure to move forward on a bipartisan one-year extension of the program. A bill to extend the program, which provides low-interest loans to help students with financial need pay for postsecondary education, passed the House of Representatives this week, but the bipartisan effort to extend the program was blocked in the Senate. In Washington state, more than 15,000 students received Perkins Loans last year, but without an extension new students would not have access to that financial aid option.

"In Congress, we should be doing everything we can to provide students with more support to manage college costs, not less, so I am extremely disappointed that the Senate has not acted to extend the Perkins Loan Program." said Senator Murray. "For many students, including 15,000 in Washington state last year, Perkins Loans have been a critical tool, providing a low-cost, flexible option to help pay for college. It is unfortunate that new students could face uncertainty this year by letting this program lapse. As we work in Congress to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, I'm going to be fighting to help more students gain a foothold into the middle class, and to ensure students have the financial aid tools they need."

Yesterday, Senator Murray delivered remarks on the Senate floor, urging an extension of the program.

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