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Education

On Thursday, September 17, 2009 the House considered H.R. 3221: the Student Aid and Financial Responsibility Act of 2009. This important legislation will help make college more affordable while increasing graduation rates and access to cutting-edge job skills education.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that H.R. 3221 will save the federal government $87 billion by phasing out the Federal Family Education Loan Program and instead issuing all federal student lending through the Direct Loan Program. The bill also increases the maximum Pell Grant award to $5,500 in Fiscal Year 2010 and to $6,900 over the next 10 years by indexing it to the rate of inflation, which will help families better keep up with rising tuition costs.

Under this legislation, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be simplified. Community colleges will be encouraged to expand their programs and modernize their campuses to accommodate increased enrollments prompted by the economic downturn. They are often the most affordable opportunity and their flexible schedules permit students to both work and study. Early childhood education will also receive a boost in the form of grants to States to expand standards-based early learning programs and help train the next generation of early care and education providers.

I voted YES. H.R. 3221 passed in the House and the entire vote is recorded below:

• Research H.R. 3221 on Congress.gov
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