Hoyer Statement on House Passage of Bipartisan Student Loan Interest Rate Legislation

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after H.R. 1911, the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013, passed the House by a vote of 392-31: 

“I am pleased that Democrats and Republicans in the House were able to come together today to pass the Senate’s bipartisan compromise that will keep student loan interest rates low for borrowers.  Higher education is a key that opens doors to opportunity and sustains a strong middle class in our country, and Congress has a duty to help make it accessible and affordable for more Americans.  This legislation will lower rates for nearly 11 million borrowers this year and save them $25 billion in the next five years while protecting them from out-of-control rates through responsible caps.  I hope the President will sign this bill into law as soon as possible.

“While I remain discouraged that Congress kept students and their families in a cloud of uncertainty for an entire month, today’s vote demonstrates that Congress still has the ability to act when the American people demand it.  This is an achievement I hope this Congress can repeat for a number of other pressing issues over the coming weeks.”