FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 23, 2006

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi Statement on President’s Comments on Raid on Student Aid

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in response to President Bush’s claim during a question and answer session following his speech at Kansas State University that student aid is not being cut:

“President Bush’s comments today clearly show how out of touch he is with the needs of America’s students.  In their budget, President Bush and Congressional Republicans have once again put the special interests ahead of our nation’s future by raiding student aid with a $12.7 billion cut.  Increasing the cost of student loans will put higher education even further out of reach or heap mountains of debt onto too many of our nation’s students.  

“Democrats have a better idea that will not force hard-working students to pay the price for the Republican culture of corruption that favors special interest over the needs of America’s children.”

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi