Alexander: Bill to Extend Perkins Loan Program for 2 Years Heads to President’s Desk

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 17 – The chairman of the Senate education committee today made the following statement on his legislation to extend the Perkins Loan Program for two years, which now heads to the president’s desk for signature after passage today in the House:

“My goal in the Senate education committee is to find ways to simplify the complicated maze of federal grant and loan programs that are available to students, making it easier for them to apply for financial aid and afford college,” Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said. “The agreement headed to the president’s desk today will extend the Perkins Program for two years—while giving Congress time to reach consensus on the best way to achieve that important goal in the next Higher Education Act reauthorization.”

Alexander’s legislation, the Federal Perkins Loan Program Extension Act of 2015, with original cosponsors Sens. Ayotte (R-N.H.), Tammy Baldwin (R-Wisc.), John Boozman (R-Miss.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.), passed the Senate unanimously yesterday.

Prior to Senate passage, Alexander delivered remarks on the Senate floor, joined by Sens. Ayotte, Baldwin, Casey and Rob Portman (R-Ohio).

Video of Alexander’s remarks are available HERE.   

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For access to this release and Chairman Alexander’s other statements, click here.