Mark Takano: “I, too, rise in opposition to the rule, and I rise in opposition to the previous question so that H.R. 1434 can be…”

“I, too, rise in opposition to the rule, and I rise in opposition to the previous question so that H.R. 1434 can be offered. Let me tell you why. Every few weeks, I spend time calling constituents who have sent me letters and emails. In many of these conversations, I hear about the burden of student loan debt. Just recently, I spoke with a couple with more than $100,000 in student debt, and their monthly loan payments exceed the rent that they pay on their apartment. There is absolutely no question, student loan debt is an enormous problem in this country. We all know the facts. As the gentleman from Connecticut stated, at $1.3 trillion, student loan debt has surpassed credit card debt. Nearly three-quarters of college seniors graduate with some debt; bachelor's degree recipients graduate with an average of almost $30,000 in debt. The Federal Government, the States, colleges and universities and other relevant actors in higher education must come together to address this issue. We must take steps to reduce the underlying costs of degree completion, strengthen Federal and State investment in colleges and universities, provide additional aid to students, and diminish existing student loan debt. The gentleman from Connecticut, Mr.…”