Providing for Congressional Disapproval of Rule Submitted By Department of Education Relating to ``Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability''

Floor Speech

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Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.J. Res. 76, certainly not because I want to defraud students, certainly not because I want to protect scam education institutions--not at all.

The Department of Education released an updated and improved borrower defense rule last year for all the opposite reasons, to, in fact, protect students and protect quality education and promote that but also to protect the taxpayer. It did all of the above.

I think we need to keep that in mind and not just spend our time on messaging. We want to have results that produce quality education opportunities for the future.

The 2016 Obama administration rule was a broad, sweeping, reactionary measure, sadly, to an issue that requires a more nuanced solution that will have results.

Defrauded students who have been financially harmed deserve relief, absolutely. The Department's 2019 rule establishes a fair process in which these students will get the relief they deserve.

A point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker. I hearken back to the hearing we had with Secretary DeVos. I was embarrassed for the first time, really, in the many years I have been on this committee to hear someone who has spent her adult life promoting education maligned in that way. I would challenge any of our committee members, myself included, to exhibit the number of years, talent, and treasure put toward enhancing opportunities for schools and education, and, by the way, the students and success that we have seen. I think that the success that the President saw in this Secretary of Education was why she was put there.

This rule that is in place right now, which we are debating today to try to change, is a rule that will enhance education as well as protect the taxpayers.

When Secretary DeVos was before our committee last month, she explained how the Department is also taking proactive measures to prevent fraud from occurring through more transparency for students on the College Scorecard.

Under the 2019 rule, predatory schools were held accountable for misrepresentations leading to financial harm to students. This rule also lays out a transparent framework that guarantees the process while establishing a proportional connection between financial harm and the amount awarded.

Hard-earned taxpayer dollars should be used responsibly. I think we will all agree to that. This 2019 rule respects the taxpayer while also allowing appropriate relief for defrauded students and setting an example for institutions that we will not accept what has gone on.

Mr. Speaker, I end by saying this: I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' today to keep a responsible system that protects defrauded students.

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