In 45 days, the interest rate on the Stafford Student Loan program is going to double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. As millions of American families know, the Stafford Student Loan program is the workhorse for middle class students…

On July 2, we will celebrate the 150th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the Morrill Act, a Federal mandate for every State to establish a land grant college. What an inspiring example. In the darkest days of the Civil…

Thank you, Mr. Tierney. I want to just, first of all, begin by recognizing your leadership and, particularly, George Miller's leadership back in 2007 when we passed the College Cost Reduction Act which reduced an interest rate of 6.8…

Thank you, that's all I need. And I would just say that the President responded to that call a few minutes ago by indicating that this measure is dead. It will be vetoed. It's not going anywhere. Let's get back to work and come up with a…

Our second President, John Adams, once said: Facts are stubborn things, and whatever may be our wishes or the dictates of our passion cannot alter the state of facts. As to how we got here on the student loan bill, here are the facts…

Thank you, Mr. Clarke. In closing, I just want to end where we began, which is that it's 67 days and counting. Today, all across America, there are high school seniors who are experiencing probably one of the most exciting moments in their…

We are here today, Tuesday, April 24, to talk about an issue which, again, middle class families all across America are watching very closely. As the chart next to me indicates, in 67 days, the interest rates on the Stafford student loan…

Thank you, Congressman Clarke, and thank you for sharing your personal story. What has been sort of extraordinary to me is that over the last few months, as we've been working on H.R. 3826, our office has received communications from all…

I look forward to working with you over the next few weeks on this issue. Now we're joined by a gentleman from the great State of Michigan, Congressman Hansen Clarke, who is a relatively new Member but who has, again, jumped right in on…

That is high praise from you, Congressman Davis. When I was a freshman, brand new to the Capitol, the Education and Labor Committee, which you've been serving on for a number of years, it was a great honor to really observe you and to see…

Thank you, Congresswoman Jackson Lee. Again, just to follow up on one quick point, which is that there is legislation that is now pending in the House, H.R. 3826. A few minutes ago, we got our 146th cosponsor. To this date, though, we are…

Well, again, I think you are going to have a really powerful event when you do that. Again, I think the media who have been covering this issue, in many instances they either have children in college or they themselves are still carrying…

I appreciate the opportunity to spend some time on the floor this evening. I will be joined by other colleagues, we anticipate, to talk about an issue which is front and center for millions of families all across the country. As my poster…

Thank you, Congressman Cicilline. And I'm glad you mentioned Senator Reid. Actually, we had an event in front of the Capitol a couple of weeks ago where Public Interest Research Group dropped off 130,000 petition signatures from college…

I thank the gentleman. Again, someone who's been a leader on this issue, first sponsor after we introduced the bill is Congressman Gary Peters from Michigan, so we're not all from New England and New York on the floor here this evening…

Mr. Peters, as to your comment about why this should not be a partisan issue, I just want to reiterate the fact that when we cut the rate back in 2007, 77 Republicans in the House voted with the Democratic majority to implement that law…

Congressman Bishop was around before the 2006 election and was there when we passed the 2007 College Cost Reduction Act. I believe, frankly, that it is because there was an unprecedented boost in involvement by young people. The 18- to…

I can give a local example of an employer in our area, which Mr. Cicilline knows well--and so do you, Tim--which is Electric Boat, which has a new design project where they're going to be hiring about 300-plus new engineers and draftsmen…

Unless this Congress acts, in 75 days, the interest rate for the Stafford student loan program will explode for 8 million college students. Unless Congress acts, the rate will jump from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. At a time when student…

Hazing has no place in our military. It undermines our military readiness and deeply scars those volunteers forced to endure it.

Well, it sure seems like we are--again, we are not talking about programs that are in their infancy.

I am very fortunate to represent the 1st Congressional District of Maine, which has Bath Iron Works, and the 5,500 wonderful workers and the great shipbuilders at that yard and the long tradition of producing incredible ships under budget…

I personally am an advocate of fixed price, assuming that you can get the risk properly identified and fenced off and understood.

I mean, clearly the numbers speak for themselves. I mean, that was a bet that did pay off.

Again, we, in fact, pushed the advanced procurement add-on in the 2007-2008 budget cycle, which provided that opportunity to get to two in 2011.