WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Paul Tonko released the following statement today after the House of Representatives voted to extend the highway bill for 27 months and the student loan bill for 12 months by a bipartisan vote of 373-52, with every House Democrat voting in favor of the proposal:

“After months of another manufactured crisis, I am pleased that Congress has finally passed the highway bill and the student loan bill.  

“The highway bill will create or save more than 2 million jobs in one of the hardest hit sectors of the economy from the Great Recession – the construction industry. It will also help rebuild our roads and bridges, as well as railways, walkways and bike paths – all in desperate need of repair. These necessary investments not only improve our quality of life, but they also help our businesses grow and allow goods to move more freely.

“Preventing student loan rates from doubling is a huge win for students and their families. Without this action, loan rates for 7.4 million college students would have doubled, costing an additional $1,000 per student in repayment costs. I met with college students and administrators from around the Capital Region at Siena College on this issue just a few weeks ago – their call for action has finally been answered.”

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