Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2016 -- Continued

Floor Speech

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Mr. BOOKER. I thank the Presiding Officer for recognizing me.

Mr. President, I, too, wish to rise in support of this amendment. In
a nation that is finding itself increasingly with global competitors,
where other nations--some of the most active economic competitors we
have are doing everything they can to keep the cost of college low. In
Germany, 4 percent to 5 percent of median income is the cost of
college. In Canada, 5 percent to 6 percent of median income is the cost
of college. In England, 6 percent to 7 percent of median income is the
cost of college. Other competitive democracies know to widen the
avenues to greater college education. But here in the United States,
the cost of college is over 50 percent of the median income.

We are raising barriers to our children getting in the game, being on
the field, and playing. I say that when you field a team--when Stanford
would compete in football, we didn't leave four or five of our players
on the side lines; we got everybody on the field. That is what we need.

This amendment is common sense. We should not be profiting as a
government off the backs of our students. We should allow them to
refinance their student debt. That is why I support it, and I am
grateful for my colleagues' support as well.

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