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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. House Education and Labor Committee Senior Republican Member Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) today urged Congressional Democrats to finally take action on stalled college access legislation, arguing that the Higher Education Act (HEA) deserves a comprehensive renewal to better meet the needs of America’s changing college population. McKeon’s remarks came as the House voted today to temporarily extend programs under the HEA for the ninth time since the Act expired for another six months.

“Once again, Congress is voting to temporarily extend federal higher education programs while postponing action on the comprehensive reforms that are so desperately needed,” said McKeon.  “Republicans have sought to advance a higher education agenda based on access, accountability, and affordability.  Unfortunately, the Democrat Congress has failed to even introduce a broad reauthorization, allowing federal college access programs to languish.”

Passage of a temporary higher education extension came just one day after the College Board released its annual reports detailing Trends in College Pricing and Trends in Student Aid.  The College Board found that the average total in-state charges for a public, four-year college or university now equal $13,589, a 5.9 percent increase over last year.  For private four-year institutions, the total charges equal $32,307, a 5.9 percent increase.

“The newest figures published by the College Board serve as a stark reminder that millions of students and families continue to grapple with the rising cost of a college education,” McKeon continued.  “Republicans have proposed common sense solutions to empower consumers and make college costs more transparent.  Earlier this month, I introduced the College Access and Opportunity Act, a comprehensive higher education renewal that would strengthen and improve federal higher education programs.  Yet the Higher Education Act remains among the Democrats’ unfinished business, alongside a delayed education spending bill, an incomplete package of job training reforms, and a host of other initiatives to keep America competitive in the global economy."