Dan Kildee: “as I said yesterday, I would like to be down here on the floor to say that H.R. 609 is a genuine bipartisan…”

“as I said yesterday, I would like to be down here on the floor to say that H.R. 609 is a genuine bipartisan reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. That is really not the case. Two months after the $12 billion heist on student aid, we are considering another bill that is a missed opportunity. I am proud to join Ranking Member Miller, along with Representatives Bobby Scott, Danny Davis, and Raul Grijalva in offering a higher education bill that is in touch with the needs of everyday Americans. Instead of missing another opportunity to expand college access, this substitute seizes this opportunity to make college more affordable by slashing interest rates in half for the next year. This is a down payment on reversing the raid on student aid. Additionally, it will expand college participation rates for minority students by establishing a graduate Hispanic-serving institution program and a predominantly black institution program and by providing additional assistance for tribal colleges. Instead of supporting the Missed College Opportunity Act, I ask my colleagues to seize this opportunity to act in the interest of students and families. America's students and families deserve better. Vote ``no'' on H.R. 609. Vote ``yes'' on the Democratic substitute.”