Rob Andrews: “this Congress, working with President Clinton and Vice-President Gore and Secretary Riley and the Department of…”

“this Congress, working with President Clinton and Vice-President Gore and Secretary Riley and the Department of Education, I think has built a laudable record of achievement in higher education. The Hope Scholarship tax credits that were enacted last year are a matter that is benefiting millions of families across the country. Virtually every family in my district has the opportunity to benefit from it in one way or the other. Working with this committee and this Congress, Pell grants are at their highest level ever. More students are benefiting from Pell grants, and those students who benefit are benefiting at a higher level. We have been able to enact and improve work-study programs and national service and many, many other areas. The administration and the Congress, I believe, have an exemplary record also in the area of student loans. Loan default costs have fallen precipitously. I think Members of both parties and this committee deserve a lot of credit for that, working with the Department of Education. It is with that context in mind that I think the administration's proposal on the interest rate issue merits some consideration.”