Passing H.R. 4137 Strengthens the Middle Class, Increases Access to Higher Education

WASHINGTON D.C. — Congressman John Conyers, Jr., made the following statement today on H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007. This legislation reauthorizes and strengthens the Higher Education Act and the educational resources of our colleges and universities and to provide financial assistance for students in postsecondary and higher education:

“In passing this reauthorization today, we the 110th Congress are once again demonstrating our commitment to strengthening America’s economy by through increasing access to higher education.  We Democrats made a pledge in 2006 to make increased access to a quality education a priority in the 110th Congress, the passage of this reauthorization today is just the latest example of our making good on this promise.

A college education continues to be the best path to the middle class. But more and more, high college prices and other obstacles are putting a college degree further out of reach for America’s students. In addition to rising tuition, students and their families face an overly complex federal student aid application process and a student loan industry mired in conflicts of interest and corrupt lending practices.  H.R. 4137 address these problems by encouraging colleges to rein in price increases, ensuring that states maintain their commitments to higher education funding, and providing students and families with consumer friendly information on college pricing and the factors driving tuition increases.”

If passed by the Senate and signed into law by the president H.R. 4137 would:

•    Encourage colleges to rein in price increases and provide consumers with helpful information

•    Restore integrity and accountability to the student loan programs

•    Simplify the federal student aid application process

•    Make textbook costs more manageable

•    Strengthen our workforce and our competitiveness

•    Expand college access and support for low-income and minority students

•    Increase college aid and support for veterans and military families

•    Ensure equal college opportunities for students with disabilities

•    Boost campus safety and disaster readiness plans

###01-11-2007###