Rob Portman: “I join my fellow colleague from Washington State, talking about the Perkins Loan Program. The House has already acted on…”

“I join my fellow colleague from Washington State, talking about the Perkins Loan Program. The House has already acted on this. They extended it for 1 year. All we are asking is that our colleagues on both sides of the aisle allow us to have the opportunity to do that here, probably by unanimous consent. It shouldn't be terribly controversial. After all, this is a program that is working. I am following a number of my colleagues today in talking about this. We just heard from Senator Murray. We also heard from Senators Collins, Baldwin, Ayotte, and Casey. This is a bipartisan effort. It is an attempt on our part to ensure that students are not going to fall between the cracks. They are getting started this fall in colleges and universities, and they are wondering whether this program is going to be here or whether we are going to allow it to expire. We ought to be sure these young people know that, yes, the program is going to be here and, yes, they are going to have the opportunity to get ahead by using this relatively low-cost student loan option that is focused on kids with the most need to be able to get an education. Since 1958 this program has been strong. It has been one that works. By the way, there is no appropriation involved. There is no spending involved here. It is a matter of allowing the program to continue.…”