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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), senior Republican on the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee, today repeated his calls for quick action on legislation to hold down the rising cost of college, arguing that as lawmakers finalize a comprehensive overhaul of federal higher education programs, their top priority should be college access and affordability.

“The single most important thing we can do to expand college access in this country is to rein in the unfettered college cost increases that have been closing the doors of opportunity on aspiring students for far too long,” said McKeon. “The federal government has done its part, increasing financial aid dramatically in an effort to equalize educational opportunity.  Now it’s time for colleges and universities, as well as states and local communities, to do their part as well.”

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote today to temporarily extend programs under the Higher Education Act (HEA) so that Congress can complete work on a renewal of the law.  McKeon has led efforts to rein in college cost increases, first proposing legislation in 2003 to give consumers more and better information about how much college costs, why those costs are rising, and what can be done about it.  McKeon has worked closely with Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (D-CA) to ensure the framework of these college cost reforms would be included in higher education reform legislation passed by the House and ultimately signed into law.

“The House has shown a bipartisan commitment to solving the college cost crisis,” said McKeon.  “In the coming weeks, our focus must remain squarely on what’s best for low- and middle-income students and families who are struggling with the ever-rising cost of a college education.  That means increasing sunshine and transparency in college costs and holding colleges and universities accountable for keeping higher education affordable.”

NOTE: The House passed its version of a higher education reform bill – H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act – on February 7, 2008.  The bill requires the U.S. Department of Education to publish a Higher Education Summary Page in order to give consumers useful, comparable data on all institutions of higher education.  This summary page, published annually, will be sort-able and searchable and will provide information on tuition and fees, average price after grant aid is applied, recent price increases, and changes in per-student spending.  In addition to the Higher Education Summary Page, the bill calls for a series of targeted lists that shine a spotlight on key cost indicators including the highest cost institutions, the lowest cost institutions, and the institutions with the largest cost increases over time.  The top 5 percent of institutions with the largest percentage cost increases over the previous three years will be called on to provide additional disclosure while taking concrete steps to hold down future costs.

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