Bipartisan Highway, Student Loan Bill Passes
During the month of July, the full United States House of Representatives voted 373-52 to pass a bill reauthorizing the highway and student loan programs (H.R. 4348). Congressman Todd Platts joined the bipartisan majority in voting in favor of passage.
The highway portion of H.R. 4348 was the first highway bill in decades that did not contain earmarks, or “pork-barrel” projects. Instead, the focus of the bill was on continuing federal highway programs – which supporters argue are an important source of job creation in the economy – for another two years. In addition, H.R. 4348 streamlined the process for approving new highway projects and consolidated existing programs to allow more state and local flexibility.
The other major portion of H.R. 4348 prevented a doubling of interest rates on student loans, from 3.4% to 6.8%. This increase in rates would have automatically occurred in July if Congress had not acted. The protection against the increased interest rate is only for one year, which was necessary to control the cost of federal subsidies under the student loan program. Supporters of H.R. 4348 argued, however, that the temporary protection comes at a time when many recent graduates are having a difficult time finding jobs.
Following House passage, the Senate voted to pass H.R. 4348 by a margin of 74-19. President Barack Obama signed the measure into law on July 6, 2012.
Web Page Highlights (www.house.gov/platts)
Statement on Contempt of Congress Resolution
The full United States House of Representatives voted 258-95 to pass a resolution (H. Res. 706) holding Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress. The resolution alleges that the Attorney General failed to comply with a subpoena for documents related to an investigation into “Operation Fast and Furious.” Rep. Platts’ statement explaining his vote in favor of holding the Attorney General in contempt of Congress is posted to the web site.
(http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/pa19_platts/contemptresolution.shtml)
Statement on House Vote to Repeal Health Care Law
Following the Supreme Court’s recent decision on the new health care law, the full United States House of Representatives voted 244-185 to pass legislation (H.R. 6079) repealing the law. Rep. Platts’ statement explaining his vote in favor of repeal is posted to the web site.
(http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/pa19_platts/hcrepeal2012.shtml)
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