On the recordSeptember 28, 2015
I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Bishop and Congressman Pocan for introducing H.R. 3594, the Higher Education Extension Act. I would also like to thank Chairman Kline and Ranking Member Scott for supporting a bipartisan effort to avoid the expiration of the Federal Perkins Loan Program, a program that helps make college affordable for low-income students across the country. In my district in Oregon, across the State, and across the country, colleges and universities use the Perkins Loan Program to expand access to higher education. For example, Linfield College and Pacific University, in my district, award Perkins loans to hundreds of students; and University of Oregon and Oregon State University distribute Perkins loans to thousands, providing a clear benefit to students who have significant financial need. As Congress works to reauthorize the Higher Education Extension Act, it is important that we continue to increase access to affordable higher education. I commend my colleague for introducing the Higher Education Extension Act, and I ask all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan bill.
