Bush Targets Low-Income Children Again, Threatens to Veto Key Education Programs

Today the Senate continues debate on the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education spending bill. The measure provides a significant investment in the nation’s children, from their health to their education. Having just come off his veto of the bi-partisan Children’s Health Insurance Program reauthorization, the President has now set his sights on vetoing this bill. As Senator Robert Byrd said, “While the President spends $10 billion every month in Iraq, we have invested a fraction of that figure above his inadequate budget request in key domestic priorities here at home. For too long, our education system and health facilities have been burdened with the Bush Administration’s unfunded mandates and empty promises.”

Posted: 10/23/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Democrats Working to Make College More Affordable

Congress is working to send the President a bill that provides $20 billion in additional college aid to students – the largest increase since the G.I. bill.  It will also increase grant aid and college access for low-income students, and makes the student-loan system work for students, not the banks, by cutting interest rates on loans in half over five years. Yesterday Democratic Senators and Congressmen joined college students at a press conference to discuss Democrats’ efforts to make college more affordable for more Americans, giving every student a chance to succeed while making America more competitive.

Posted: 09/07/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Backgrounder on Student Lenders

As college tuition has skyrocketed students are leaving college with more and more debt, to the benefit of student loan providers. At the same time, improper relationships between lenders and universities have contributed to the rising costs faced by students. As of Friday, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo had settled with 11 lenders in his probe of the student loan industry. The Department of Education — officials of which have also faced questions over potential conflicts of interest -- has failed to provide adequate oversight of the industry, leaving it to Congress to act. The Higher Education Reauthorization Act will provide important oversight of the out-of-control student loan industry and put an end to the cozy relationships between lenders and universities. Below are just a few examples of the conflicts of interest and financial arrangements that have come to light within the student loan industry.

Posted: 07/24/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Student Loan Backgrounder

As college tuition has skyrocketed students are leaving college with more and more debt. The bill passed this morning by the Senate will provide a $17 billion increase in funding for college aid to help more young people go to college. Below are just a few reasons why passage of this bill is crucial for the future of working families.

Posted: 07/20/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink