Miller Statement on 2-year Anniversary of the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the Education and the Workforce Committee and the author of the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA), which was enacted into law two years ago today, released the following statement commemorating the anniversary of the law.
“Two years ago today, as part of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, President Obama enacted a law that put a college education within reach for students who rely on grants, student loans and access to community college for their degree. The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act did this at no cost to taxpayers by ending unnecessary subsidies for banks and instead investing those dollars directly in students’ education.
“We raised the maximum Pell Grant award and indexed it so the total amount rises with increases in the cost of living. We made student loan repayments more affordable. We invested in community colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and minority serving institutions to improve access and completion rates.
“In contrast to the progress made by Democrats on behalf of America’s working families and students, the Republican budget that came before the House this week offers the country a very bleak vision for education. Under that budget, it will be much more difficult for students to pay for college. It allows interest rates to double on need-based student loans for more than 7 million students this summer and cuts some 400,000 students from the Pell program.
“While we mark today’s anniversary and its accomplishments, we still have to fight to protect students from the harmful cuts to their future proposed by the Republican budget. Standing up for students and taxpayers is the right thing to do for families and our country’s economic future.”
Next Article