House Committee on Education and Labor
U.S. House of Representatives
Republicans
Rep. Howard P. “Buck†McKeon
Ranking Member
Fiscally responsible reforms for students, workers and retirees.
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
McKeon: Republicans Are Offering Solutions to Help American Families Rebuild their Savings (March 24, 2009)
McKeon Applauds Move to Simplify College Financial Aid (October 1, 2008)
Legislation to Extend Safeguards to Federal Student Loan Access Passes House (September 15, 2008)
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Member Views
McKeon op-ed in The Washington Examiner on GOP Solutions to Help Americans Rebuild Their Savings (April 21, 2009)
McKeon op-ed in The Hill: Where the need for reform never rests (June 4, 2008)
McKeon op-ed at FlashReport.org: Economic Recovery Depends on Energy Solutions (May 30, 2008)
Fact Sheets
H.R. 4137, The Higher Education Opportunity Act Conference Report (July 31, 2008)
Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act (May 1, 2008)
Top Ten Republican Reforms in College Access Bill (February 7, 2008)
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Dear Colleagues
We Can Do Better With a Scalpel to the Budget (May 12, 2009)
H.R. 4137 Reflects GOP Higher Education Priorities (July 31, 2008)
Save Transparency in Government Lending
OPPOSE the Petri #8 Amendment (February 7, 2008)
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Left Turns
The Democrat “Student Aid” Bill: A Trojan Horse for More Entitlement Spending (July 10, 2007)
Floor Statements
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)
McKeon Statement on H.R 5715, the “Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008” (April 16, 2008)
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Committee Statements
Guthrie Statement: Hearing on “New Innovations and Best Practices Under the Workforce (May 5, 2009)
McKeon Statement to the Budget Committee on Federal Student Loan Programs (March 11, 2009)
Guthrie Statement: Subcommittee Hearing on “New Innovations and Best Practices Under the Workforce (February 26, 2009)
