College Affordability and Skills Training
Cindy knows that we need to make college more affordable and help those currently strapped with student loan debt. College graduates owe more than $1.5 trillion in student loans nationwide. In Iowa, 65% of college students graduate with student loans, with an average of almost $30,000 of debt.
Cindy knows that our student loan crisis isn’t just hurting Iowa students, it’s hurting our economy. Iowans crippled with student loan debt are less likely to buy a home, start a small business, or even start a family. Cindy knows that we need to help recent graduates repay their loans.
Cindy also knows that college isn’t the only path to success. Cindy will make sure every Iowan has the skills they need for a good-paying job. Cindy knows that in today’s economy, investing in workforce development and lifelong learning helps grow our economy and create jobs.
In Congress, Cindy will focus on expanding access to community colleges and trade schools, as well as strengthening on-the-job training so every Iowan can compete in this economy and meet their professional goals.
For more information concerning work and views related to college affordability and skills training, please contact our office.
More on College Affordability and Skills Training
Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) and all members of the Iowa delegation – including Sen. Chuck Grassley, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Reps.
Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) is highlighting her constituent service and legislative accomplishments of the past year with the release of her 2021 End of Year Report.
Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) voted to advance a comprehensive bill that will cut taxes and lower costs for Iowa’s working families and create 1.5 million new jobs by 2025.
Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) voted to approve and advance a package of seven appropriations bills to fund investments ranging from public health and safety initiatives to expansions of federal support for broadband, skills training, and rural communities.
The legislation includes multiple provisions that Rep. Axne worked to secure over the first half of 2021, including direct funding for nine projects across Iowa’s Third Congressional District and provisions to prevent closures or delivery service cuts at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment authored by Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) to boost funding for career skills training programs at community colleges to help workers displaced by COVID-19-related economic downturn and other layoffs.
The Axne amendment, which increases funding for these programs at community colleges to $105 million for the upcoming fiscal year, was added to the House appropriations bill that increases federal funding for job skills training programs at the U.S. Department of Labor by more than 10%.
Today, the New Democrat Coalition (NDC) named Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) the Co-Chair of the Rural Reinvestment Task Force, a new group aimed at developing and advancing policy solutions that will support rural communities across the U.S.
Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) announced her intention to vote for the American Rescue Plan, a comprehensive relief bill aimed at helping Iowans in need and accelerating efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic.
The legislation includes an extension of enhanced unemployment benefits, a new round of direct payments, expansions of the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit, and direct relief to help Iowa’s renters, homeowners, small businesses, schools, and child care providers.
Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) joined a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives to advance the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 to the U.S. Senate, a measure that she co-sponsored earlier this year.
The legislation would expand the Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program and create nearly 1 million new apprenticeship opportunities over the next five years.