Rep. George Miller Statement on President Obama’s Higher Education Proposal
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following statement today after President Obama announced details of the administration’s proposal to keep college affordable and within reach for all Americans.
“Americans now owe more in student loan debt than credit card debt. Affording a higher education shouldn’t be a luxury. The federal government invests billions of dollars in student aid each year, and it’s time to make sure that states and colleges are doing their part to make higher education affordable to all students. The cost of education is one of the most urgent kitchen table issues for the middle class. Congress needs to join the President in addressing these issues. The President’s Higher Education Proposal rightly calls on colleges, universities and states to maintain a commitment to keep college costs low making it easier for American families and their children to afford a college education. Further, we need to act soon to ensure that millions of students don’t see their student loan interest rates double this summer.”
In his State of the Union address, President Obama called for a comprehensive approach to tackling rising college costs. Under Miller’s leadership, Congress passed the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA), which brought the current interest rate on some federal student loans to 3.4 percent. If Congress doesn't act before July, the rate will jump back up to 6.8 percent, making it much more difficult for many American students and their families to afford a college education.
For more information about President Obama’s higher education proposal visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/27/fact-sheet-president-obama-s-blueprint-keeping-college-affordable-and-wi.
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