Political Quotes

“I think it has become clear to the American people that the Contract With America is nothing more than a contract on the middle and working class of America. And now, the Republican majority has a new contract out on the college students of this country. We all know, Mr. Speaker, that the cost of attending college is rising. And yet my Republican colleagues have suggested giving the wealthy a tax cut by reducing funding for Federal financial aid programs. On the Republican chopping block is the interest-deferred Stafford Loan Program which if eliminated would cost the average student $4,344 in added loan repayments. The work study programs, which provide Federal dollars to colleges to hire low- and middle-income students for campus jobs, would also be eliminated if Republicans have their way. Other GOP targets include the Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants and the Perkins Loans, which go to the neediest students. These cuts will do nothing for this Nation other than assure that college students, especially the neediest students, will be forced out of school altogether. To put it simply, Mr. Speaker, anything that would help the children of low-income and working American families to get ahead has been or will be eliminated if the Republican Contract on the average American becomes law.”