Scott Statement on Trump Vetoing Bipartisan Resolution to Protect Students from Predatory Schools
WASHINGTON – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after President Trump vetoed legislation, passed in March, to reverse the Department of Education’s Borrower Defense rule. The Department’s rule would deny debt relief to students defrauded by predatory colleges.
“Earlier this year, Democrats and Republicans came together to block Secretary DeVos’ Borrower Defense rule that shields predatory schools from accountability and denies relief to student borrowers who were defrauded billions of dollars. By vetoing this bipartisan resolution, President Trump is exposing students, including veterans, to more fraud and abuse at the hands of low-quality schools.
“When it goes into effect next month, Secretary DeVos’ Borrower Defense rule will discard the streamlined system that helps defrauded borrowers access relief. Instead, borrowers will be forced to navigate a complex and burdensome process in which they can still be denied relief even if their institution has clearly been proven to have broken the law.
“Even worse, at a time when schools across the country are at risk of sudden closure due to COVID-19, the DeVos rule eliminates automatic closed school discharge, which will make it harder for students to recover if their school closes before they finished their program.
“The Administration had a clear choice between protecting students from predatory colleges or shielding low-quality schools from accountability. Unfortunately, the Trump Administration once again sided with fraudulent institutions that cheat students out of their education.
“Democrats and Republicans must once again come together to protect students, including veterans, by overriding this veto.”
###
Press Contact
Democratic Press Office, 202-226-0853
Next Article Previous Article