Carol Shea-Porter: “I thank Chairman Miller for his leadership on this bipartisan legislation. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my…”

“I thank Chairman Miller for his leadership on this bipartisan legislation. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my strong support for H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act. Last year, the Democratically led 110th Congress cut interest rates on student loans in half over a 5-year period in order to help American families pay for college. This year we have continued our commitment to the poor and to the middle class by expanding college access. College loans are getting more expensive. By working and through student loans, I was able to attend college full time, but today, many students can only attend part time because of financial or family obligations. They also have to attend summer sessions so they can get through college more quickly. This legislation will help them by expanding Pell Grant eligibility for these part-time, year-round students. One of this Congress' priorities is to make it easier to earn a college education. This legislation honors our commitment. As a member of the Education and Labor Committee, I proudly support this legislation and I urge my colleagues to do the same.”