Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I seek recognition today to introduce an important piece of legislation entitled the Student Loan Forgiveness and Repayment Assistance Act of 2010. This legislation is in response to the increasingly high cost of postsecondary education, an important issue that I recently discussed with Pennsylvania students. During this conversation I discussed the need for what I called an ``education bill of rights'' and today I am introducing a practical approach to increasing the accessibility and affordability of higher education. On March 30, 2010, the President signed into law the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, AFRA, as part of the healthcare and education reconciliation bill, which I am proud to have supported in the Senate. This historic legislation made an important investment in higher education, including: $36 billion to fund and strengthen the Pell Grant program, $2.55 billion to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions, $1.5 billion to strengthen the Income Based Repayment, IBR, plan as well as several other student financial assistance and deficit reduction provisions. These actions were an important first step, but we must do more.…”