Carter: "Student Relief" Bill Is Misleading

CARTER: "STUDENT RELIEF" BILL IS MISLEADING

House Conference Secretary John Carter (TX-31) today voted against H.R. 5, a bill that the Democrats are calling the "Student Relief Act" although it takes no action to expand access to college. Additionally, this bill could lead to the loss of more than 800 jobs at student loan institutions in the 31st Congressional District alone.

"One of the top concerns facing families today is the rising cost of higher education. I have worked with my Republican colleagues to expand access to higher education for students, and will continue to support measures that will result in real relief for students," Carter said. "The Democrat bill does nothing to send more students to college or to reduce the cost of education. Further, this legislation may result in the loss of 800 jobs in Central Texas."

H.R. 5 would only cut interest rates to 3.4 percent level for only the last six months of 2011. A college freshman who takes out a loan in the fall of 2011 would save only about $7 per month under the Democrat proposal.

Congressman Carter, a former member of the House Education Committee, has consistently supported efforts to expand college access. In fact, Republicans in Congress have tripled student aid to a record $90 billion in the past decade.

Last year, the Republican-led Congress passed H.R. 609, the College Access and Opportunity Act, which would have expanded access to college for low- and middle-income students by removing barriers for non-traditional students and empowering students and parents with more information about college costs, quality, and accreditation.

http://carter.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=55908