Working to Make Higher Education More Accessible

Recently, I voted with a substantial majority of my colleagues in a bipartisan effort to pass the College Opportunity and Affordability Act. This bill is a good step in making college more accessible to those who desire to go, but have limited resources. Education is a priority of mine, and by passing commonsense legislation such as this, we are investing in our children and our future.

This legislation addresses the rising price of college and removes other obstacles that make it harder for qualified students to pursue higher education. Not only is the cost of a college education increasing, but the process of receiving aid is becoming more difficult. This legislation will help students and parents make the right choices by streamlining the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, creating an easy-to-navigate two page FAFSA-EZ form for low-income families and providing families with extra time to plan for their college expenses.

One of the most important provisions in this legislation is an increase in the amount of Pell Grants a student can receive. Additionally, this bill will dramatically help our veterans and those who currently serve in the military achieve a higher education for themselves and their children. The College Opportunity and Affordability Act creates a new scholarship program for veterans, active duty personnel and their families. It also establishes support centers to help veterans and service personnel to succeed and ensures fairness in student and housing aid to make it easier for them to pursue their education while also fulfilling their military service duties.
 
House Passes a “No Energy” Energy Bill

One of the most important issues the government must address is reducing our dependence on foreign energy, most notably, oil. Relying upon unstable nations with leaders that are often at odds with American interests is damaging to our national security. If we continue down this path, we are certainly going to lose the global race for energy.

This past week, the majority party brought an energy bill to the floor that was more idealistic than realistic. While there were some positive provisions in the bill as a whole, it does nothing more than increase our dependency on foreign oil and threaten our national security.

My greatest concern with this bill is that it pits one sector of the energy industry against another. It extends tax credits for wind energy production, which I support, while unfairly increasing taxes on oil and gas producers. The 19th District is on the cutting edge of both traditional fossil fuel production as well as alternative energy. I simply could not vote for a bill that would create an $18 billion tax increase on oil and gas producers that ultimately trickles down and hits consumers with higher prices at the pump.

We must increase domestic production by assisting American companies, not penalizing them. I was tremendously concerned this bill exempted Dictator Hugo Chavez’s state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela (owner of CITGO), but focused the tax increases on America companies. Democrats continually cite oil companies’ profits as the reason to increase taxes on them. Meanwhile, Wall Street analysts are predicting the price of oil could climb to $105 per barrel soon, as inventory stays low and the dollar continues to grow weaker.

The best path to true energy independence is a diversified energy portfolio in which one aspect of the energy industry is not favored by burdening another. This bill has no plan to reduce dependence on oil and would simply raise costs on Americans during a time of record high energy prices.
Celebrating Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month, and it is very important to look back at history and see the tremendous contributions from women. From the suffragettes to “Rosie the Riveter,” to world leaders such as Margaret Thatcher and Golda Mier, and our current Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice women have had a tremendous impact throughout history.

Before 1970, women's history was rarely the subject of serious study. Since then, almost every college offers women's history courses, and most major graduate programs offer doctoral degrees in the field. Through their determination and perseverance, strong-willed women fought for equal rights and opportunity. Their work has not been forgotten, and every woman today benefits from the efforts of those women determined to break barriers.

In 1981, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) co-sponsored a joint Congressional resolution proclaiming a National Women's History Week.  In 1987, Congress expanded the recognition, dedicating the entire month of March as Women’s History Month. Throughout March, take the time to reflect on all the contributions of women in history and their achievements to make a brighter and better future for all of us.

As always, when events unfold in Washington, I will be sure to update you. In the meantime, do not hesitate to visit my website at www.randy.house.gov or call my office toll free district wide at (888) 763-1611 or my Washington, DC office at 202-225-4005.

--Randy