Nine New Entitlements, Decreased College Affordability

Floor Speech

NINE NEW ENTITLEMENTS, DECREASED COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY -- (House of Representatives - July 11, 2007)

(Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2669 and in support of the McKeon alternative. As the father of three college graduates and a college sophomore, I understand the financial burden higher education poses on families and students. That is why I am proud of Republican efforts, particularly those of Representatives Buck McKeon and Ric Keller to expand college access and increase affordability.

As lawmakers, our number one education priority should be to ensure that college is affordable for any student. Unfortunately, H.R. 2669 pits the Federal Family Education Loan program against the Direct Loan Program and creates an imbalance in the student loan industry. Instead of helping students, the Democrat entitlement bill would require student borrowers to pay thousands more for a college education. H.R. 2669 creates nine new entitlement programs, placing the interests of colleges and universities above the needs of low-income students, and does nothing to expand college access and affordability for middle-class families.

Congress should not be playing politics with college educations. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the McKeon alternative.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11th.

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