Kelly Ayotte: “I rise today and join my colleagues, and I wish to thank Senator Baldwin from Wisconsin for the speech that she gave and…”

“I rise today and join my colleagues, and I wish to thank Senator Baldwin from Wisconsin for the speech that she gave and for her leadership--as well as yours, Mr. President--on the resolution to extend the Federal Perkins Loan Program. This is something we should take up and pass right now. There is strong bipartisan support to do so. Yesterday the House of Representatives passed the Higher Education Extension Act of 2015, which would extend this important program for an additional year. But if the Senate does not act by tomorrow, this program, which helps the most financially needy students receive a college education, will expire. We can't let that happen. I have heard from students, colleges in my State, universities, and financial aid administrators who have urged us to act and to make sure we continue this program, which allows students with exceptional financial needs to have access to low-interest loans they need so they can get higher education, live the American dream, and contribute to our society. Making sure they have that access is critical. In New Hampshire, approximately 5,000 students received a Perkins loan during the last academic year. Across the country, as Senator Baldwin mentioned, over one-half million students received a Perkins loan during the 2013-2014 academic year.…”