Political Quotes

“To Chairman McKeon, congratulations on rising to the top of this very significant committee. I would also like to express my accolades to Sally Lovejoy, who has had occasion to straighten me out, even when I didn't want to be straightened out from time to time, and we appreciate that and do wish her the best. I do rise in support of this legislation and congratulate all those who worked hard on this, because this was a very open process with a huge number of amendments as we got to where we are now. I think it is unfortunate that we are not all together on it, but I understand how those things work. One concern that continues to rise and has done so since I came to Congress is the continuously rising cost of a college education. Tuition increases are outpacing the rate of inflation, increases in family income, and even increases in State and Federal financial aid, which have grown frequently in recent years, as we have seen. These cost increases are pricing students and families out of the college market in a time when we have reports suggesting that for the first time high school students recognize the importance of obtaining a college education. These students should not shy away because of skyrocketing costs. It is my belief that one of the best things we can do is to talk about the issue and to force transparency into the process. H.R. 609 does just that.…”