College Student Relif Act of 2007

COLLEGE STUDENT RELIEF ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - January 17, 2007)

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Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman, Mr. McKeon, for his leadership and expanding opportunities for students to attend college.

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5. As the father of three college graduates and a college freshman, I am all too familiar with the financial burden higher education poses to families and students. That is why I am proud of the Republican efforts to expand college access and increase affordability.

During the past decade, House Republicans under the leadership of John Boehner and Buck McKeon tripled overall Federal aid to a record $90 billion, helping millions of Americans achieve their dream of a college education.

In addition, Republicans increased new aid for Pell students more than $4 billion over 5 years, establishing the first ever grant program for high achieving Pell students in their first and second years of college. The program also provides grant aid to low income, high achieving students pursuing degrees in math, science, and critical foreign languages in their third and fourth years.

While the Democrat bill was well-intentioned, its focus on interest rate reduction does nothing to expand college access for new students. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the McKeon alternative, which will truly expand college access for young Americans.

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