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

Education Issues

Higher Education

In the 111th Congress, Republicans are continuing their efforts to make higher education more accessible and affordable to all American families. This includes a major push for financial aid simplification, making financial aid easier to apply for and simpler to administer. 

Often controversial with the higher education establishment, Republicans have brought 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 is going a long way toward ensuring students have a chance to go to college and take an important step closer to the American Dream.

The congressional Republican commitment to student aid is not new. In the 109th Congress (2005-2006), 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.

Press Releases

Kline Highlights New Venue for Americans to Speak Out on Education and Workplace Issues (May 25, 2010)

House Education and Labor Committee Republican Website Receives Gold Mouse Award (April 21, 2010)

Kline Statement on Signing of Health Care “Fix” Bill (March 30, 2010)

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Member Views

Letter from Rep. John Kline to Education Secretary Arne Duncan re: Administration Advocacy for Direct Loan Conversion (December 11, 2009)

Letter from Rep. John Kline to Chairman George Miller re: Administration Advocacy for Direct Loan Conversion (December 11, 2009)

ICYMI: Schoolyard Bullies (November 30, 2009)

Fact Sheets

Ten Things Every American Should Know About the Government Takeover of Student Loans (March 25, 2010)

Workforce Investment Improvement Act (H.R. 4271) (December 16, 2009)

What They’re Saying: Financial Aid Professionals & Opinion Leaders Raise Doubts About Government Takeover of Student Lending (December 16, 2009)

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Dear Colleagues

Protect Students' Access to Financial Aid (February 19, 2010)

We Can Do Better With a Scalpel to the Budget (May 12, 2009)

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

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Left Turns

“New Direction” Leads to Massive Job Losses (March 25, 2010)

Democrats Siphon Billions in College Aid to Pay for Government Takeover of Health Care (March 18, 2010)

Status of the Stimulus: Fuzzy Math, Wasteful Spending – and Unemployment Still Rising (November 4, 2009)

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Floor Statements

Kline Statement: Consideration of H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (September 16, 2009)

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)

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Committee Statements

Guthrie Statement: Hearing on the Department of Education Inspector General’s Review of Standards for Program Length in Higher Education (June 17, 2010)

Guthrie Statement: Hearing on the Oversight of Low-Income and Minority-Serving Institutions (May 27, 2010)

Guthrie Statement: Hearing on "Ensuring Student Eligibility Requirements for Federal Aid" (October 14, 2009)

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