In our modern economy, new jobs require new skills. But as wages have declined, the cost of higher education has risen.  Increasingly, hard-working middle class families find themselves priced out of providing the best educational opportunities for their kids. I’ve seen the results first-hand as a father of two teenagers.

For us in the 24th district, rising costs of college are especially detrimental for the universities here that provide critical jobs, resources, and a sense of community. That’s why one of my votes in Congress was in support of the College Student Relief Act (H.R. 5), bipartisan legislation that will cut subsidized student loan rates in half. 

I believe that one of my most critical jobs as Congressman is leveling the playing field to all Americans – because the American dream should belong to us all.  This legislation helps students gain access to higher education by saving them an average of $4,570 over the life of their loan.

Earlier this year, I also voted for the largest increase in student aid since the GI Bill - The College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 (H.R. 2669), which the House passed. This legislation would authorize $18 billion in additional financial aid over the next five years. It would increase maximum Pell Grant awards to $5,200 by 2011, providing help to over 5.3 million college students.  This bill will provide students in New York with $1.1 billion in additional aid from lowered interest rates on need-based loans and increased Pell Grant scholarships over the next 5 years.