On the recordApril 27, 2012
I rise today in opposition of H.R. 4628, the Interest Rate Reduction Act. Keeping student loan rates at their current level should be an easy, bipartisan bill. However, it should not be at the cost of an assault on women's health. Of all the offsets available to the majority, they chose to undermine the well-being of America's women and children by gutting investments in screening for breast and cervical cancer, childhood immunizations, and initiatives to reduce birth defects. I remain committed to preventing an increase in student loan costs for over 7.4 million Americans. I would like to see a new, bipartisan bill sent to the President's desk well in advance of the July 1 deadline when the rates are scheduled to go up. But any student loan relief should not come at the expense of funding for childhood immunizations, screening programs for breast and cervical cancer, and birth defects. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this flawed legislation. ____________________
