Inhofe and student loans

2007-10-02

Source: The Claremore Daily Progress

Senator Jim Inhofe continues to take a lone wolf approach to legislation by being one of only 12 United States Senators who voted against the bill that President Bush says he will sign to expand access to college student loans and grant assistance to thousands of low income students.

According to knowledgeable observers, the expanded assistance is to be paid for by cutting almost $20 billion in excessive fees to banks and other lenders who make student loans. The bill will reduce interest rates on federally backed loans to students from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent over the next four years and increase the maximum Pell Grant from $4,310 a year to $5,400 a year by 2012.

The measure received widespread bi-partisan support in the Senate, passing by a margin of 79-12, which was similar to its reception in the House of Representatives which passed the bill 292-97.

Students, like those who attend Rogers State University and need federal assistance, will benefit.

Why our state’s senior senator would vote against such a measure, when Oklahoma needs more college graduates, is a mystery.

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