Political Quotes

“I rise in support of H.R. 6138, the Third Higher Education Extension Act of 2006. Some of the most important programs in the Higher Education Act, such as Pell Grants and Perkins student loans, are set to expire on September 30, 2006. Pell Grants and Perkins loans are the passports out of poverty for millions of worthy young people, and they deserve to be reauthorized. H.R. 6138 ensures that these provisions will not expire at the end of this fiscal year by extending them for another 9 months, through June 30, 2007. While the House acted on permanent reauthorization of the Higher Education Act by passing H.R. 609, the College Access and Opportunity Act, in March of this year, the Senate has not yet acted. The Senate should soon act to pass their reauthorization bill so we can negotiate a final bill and have these important higher education reforms signed into law. In the meantime, this extension will allow the important programs of the Higher Education Act to continue past their current September 30, 2006, expiration date. In addition to extending the programs under the Higher Education Act, H.R. 6138 includes additional provisions to benefit students and institutions.”