House Committee on Education and Labor
U.S. House of Representatives

Republicans
Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon
Ranking Member

Fiscally responsible reforms for students, workers and retirees.

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Education Issues

Higher Education

LATEST NEWS & INFORMATION

  • On August 1, 2008, Representatives Buck McKeon and Ric Keller joined Senators Mike Enzi and Lamar Alexander in writing to U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings to encourage rapid implementation of legislation to ensure the continued availability of student loans.  Click here to see the letter.
  • On July 25, 2008, Representatives Buck McKeon and Ric Keller joined Senators Mike Enzi and Lamar Alexander in writing to U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson to urge his agency to continue focusing on long-term solutions to the credit crunch that has driven lenders out of the federal student loan program.  Click here to see the letter.

The congressional Republican commitment to student aid is unprecedented.  Today, more than $100 billion in federal student aid is available each year – triple the amount provided just a decade ago.

In the 109th Congress, Republicans increased loan limits so students can access even more aid; reduced loan fees so students can keep more of what they borrow; established a new $4.5 billion grant program for low-income, high-achieving high school students; and slashed federal subsidies to lenders to save taxpayers billions and ensure that student aid programs are serving the needs of students first.  The fact is, however, unless colleges are held more accountable for their role in the cost crisis, too many low- and middle-income students will face the same financial hurdles, year after year. 

In the 110th Congress, Republicans are continuing their call for more information about college costs and outcomes. Often controversial with the higher education establishment, Republicans are bringing greater transparency to an unchecked system so the consumers of higher education – parents and students – have more information than ever before about the education in which they’re investing.  Coupled with our already strong commitment to student aid, such accountability would go a long way toward ensuring students have a chance to go to college and take an important step closer to the American Dream.

Press Releases

McKeon Selected as Education and Labor Committee’s Senior Republican for 111th Congress (December 10, 2008)

McKeon Applauds Move to Simplify College Financial Aid (October 1, 2008)

Legislation to Extend Safeguards to Federal Student Loan Access Passes House (September 15, 2008)

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Member Views

McKeon op-ed in The Hill: Where the need for reform never rests (June 4, 2008)

McKeon op-ed at FlashReport.org: Economic Recovery Depends on Energy Solutions (May 30, 2008)

McKeon op-ed in Inside Higher Ed: Real Progress (Finally) on College Affordability (February 7, 2008)

Fact Sheets

H.R. 4137, The Higher Education Opportunity Act Conference Report (July 31, 2008)

Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act (May 1, 2008)

Top Ten Republican Reforms in College Access Bill (February 7, 2008)

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Dear Colleagues

H.R. 4137 Reflects GOP Higher Education Priorities (July 31, 2008)

Save Transparency in Government Lending
OPPOSE the Petri #8 Amendment
(February 7, 2008)

Reduce Red Tape in Higher Education (February 7, 2008)

Please click here for more Dear Colleagues

Left Turns

The Democrat “Student Aid” Bill: A Trojan Horse for More Entitlement Spending (July 10, 2007)

Floor Statements

McKeon Statement: Conference Report to H.R. 4137, the “Higher Education Opportunity Act” (July 31, 2008)

McKeon Statement on H.R. 3195, the ADA Amendments Act (June 25, 2008)

McKeon Statement on H.R 5715, the “Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008” (April 16, 2008)

Committee Statements

McKeon Statement: Conference on H.R. 4137, the "Higher Education Opportunity Act" (July 29, 2008)

Keller Statement: Joint Hearing on “Restoring America’s Leadership through Scholarships for Undergraduates from Developing Countries: The Uniting Students in America (USA) Proposal” (June 19, 2008)

McKeon Statement: Markup of H.R. 3195, the ADA Amendments Act (June 18, 2008)