WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The House today passed by voice vote S. 1793, the Senate version of the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act (H.R. 3086). The House passed the original bill, authored by 21st Century Competitiveness Subcommittee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), on October 23 by a vote of 415-0; the Senate approved S. 1793 by unanimous consent on December 14. The measure is now ready for President Bush’s signature.

     Under the HEROES bill, the U.S. Secretary of Education will be able to grant waivers to military reservists who have been called up for active duty, relieving them from making federal student loan payments while they serve the nation’s Armed Forces. To help those directly affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks, it also would allow the Secretary to relieve victims and their families by extending repayment terms and deadlines with respect to federal student loans. A similar measure was enacted to help military reservists during the Persian Gulf War.

     “This legislation will provide relief for the men and women of our military who are defending the freedoms of this great nation,” McKeon said. “As families send loved ones into harm’s way, the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act will allow the Secretary of Education to reduce some of the effects of that disruption here at home.”

     “As our nation continues the war against terrorism in Afghanistan, the Education Secretary needs the authority to act quickly to protect the interests of our students as well as the integrity of the financial aid programs themselves,” said Education & the Workforce Chairman Boehner (R-OH). “Not a moment too soon, today's action paves the way for this bill to become law.”

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