John Kuhl: “for the last several years my colleagues on the Education and Labor Committee have worked to renew, and indeed improve…”

“for the last several years my colleagues on the Education and Labor Committee have worked to renew, and indeed improve, the Higher Education Act. Last Congress, we passed H.R. 609, the College Access and Opportunity Act, which made important reforms to the Pell Grant program, the Perkins loan program, and provided more accountability in the area of college costs. Unfortunately, the Senate was not able to act, and the legislation died. This Congress, the House has passed the reforms to address some of the problems that have arisen in the student loan industry and has passed legislation that made changes to the mandatory spending programs under the Higher Education Act through the reconciliation process. As of yesterday, the Senate has passed both the reconciliation bill and the Higher Education Act reauthorization bill. The latest extension of the Higher Education Act expires on July 31, 2007. Today, we are passing another extension through October 31, 2007. It is my hope that the House will soon renew the remaining Higher Education Act, but in the meantime Congress must once again act to extend this bill, which we have done so previously on several occasions with bipartisan support. So today I rise in support of legislation to do so once again. S. 1868, the second Higher Education Act of 2007, will ensure that vital Federal college access and student aid programs continue, I repeat continue, to serve those students who depend upon them.”