Education
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) today voted for the Senate’s bipartisan student loan compromise that will lower undergraduate student loan interest rates for subsidized Stafford loans from 6.8 to 3.86 percent for 2013. Future rates will be calculated annually based on the government’s cost of borrowing, but are capped at 8.25 percent for undergraduate loans and are fixed for the life of the loan.
Washington D.C. – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) today released the following statement after voting against H.R. 5, a bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (also known as No Child Left Behind).
“It’s clear that we need long-term thinking and real changes to improve the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and give our students schools worthy of their potential.
Beaverton, Ore. – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) today unveiled the Opportunities for Success Act (H.R. 2659), legislation she introduced to help make unpaid internships more accessible to low-income students. The legislation is part of Bonamici’s new College to Jobs Agenda, which aims to reduce unemployment and underemployment among recent college graduates.
Beaverton, Ore. – The interest rate on new federally subsidized student loans this week jumped from 3.4 to 6.8 percent. Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) has cosponsored legislation to temporarily return to the 3.4 percent rate and is calling on her colleagues to work together for a long term solution.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) this week introduced the Counseling for Career Choice Act to ensure that high school students are made fully aware of their career and education options prior to graduation. The legislation would support the development of comprehensive career counseling programs in school districts across the country.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) today announced her opposition to H.R. 1911, legislation that would allow student loan interest rates to rise as high as 8.5 percent based on a variable formula linked to the 10 year Treasury Note. Without action, the current interest rate of 3.4 percent will double July 1 to 6.8 percent. Bonamici is pushing for alternative legislation, The Student Loan Relief Act, H.R. 1595, to maintain the 3.4 percent rate for two years to provide time for a thoughtful, comprehensive discussion of the student loan debt crisis.
Washington, D.C.— Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) has joined with Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and 17 other Members of Congress in questioning the legal basis for retroactive cuts to federal Secure Rural Schools funds that have already been dispersed. In a letter sent today to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget Jeffrey Zients, the members expressed grave concern about the retroactive cuts. Bonamici also expressed disappointment at Congress for failing to work together to repeal the sequester.
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) today voted for the U.S. House budget proposal for fiscal year 2014 offered by Budget Committee Ranking Member Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). This proposal ends the sequester and adopts a balanced approach to budgeting. Unlike the austerity approach of Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) budget, the Democratic alternative closes tax loopholes, eliminates wasteful spending, and makes strategic investments to strengthen the economy.