Congresswoman Hirono Votes to Protect Students and Taxpayers

Press Release

Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today voted against H.R. 2117, legislation that eliminates certain consumer protections in higher education.

"While administrators have shared with me concerns about complying with new federal regulations, today's bill goes too far," said Congresswoman Hirono, a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. "In Hawaii, our colleges and universities receive hundreds of millions of dollars in federal financial aid each year, so it is appropriate for the federal government to promote accountability. We shouldn't roll back protections for students and taxpayers."

Previously, a small number of colleges outside Hawaii abused taxpayer dollars by awarding more credits than students actually earned through course time in order to receive more allocated federal financial aid funds.

In 2011, the U.S. Department of Education implemented a standard definition of a credit hour that had already been in use by most colleges.

Another 2011 regulation states that institutions of higher education must follow state requirements where they operate. The states must also have a process in place to address student complaints. Hawaii has already established this process through the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

H.R. 2117 goes too far by repealing the standard definition of a credit hour and the state authorization requirements. The bill would also forbid the U.S. Secretary of Education from ever issuing new rules on what constitutes a credit hour, thus undermining accountability for federal tax dollars going to financial aid.

The Obama Administration has issued a Statement of Administration Policy strongly opposing the bill.

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