North Carolina’s Democratic Congressional Delegation fulfilled their promise to lower college costs by sending President Bush the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007.

This legislation will bring real help to North Carolina students by providing an additional $500 in need-based grant aid next year, and an additional $5,400 over the next five years. [Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, September, 2007]

But Republicans Richard Burr in the Senate, and Patrick McHenry, Virginia Foxx, and Sue Myrick in the House voted against the bill.

These Republicans voted “no” to cap federal student loan payments at 15 percent of a borrower’s discretionary income.

Republican obstructionists also voted “no” to forgive the debt of borrowers of North Carolina’s nurses, teachers, and law enforcement officers who serve in their profession for 10 years.

“Ensuring that young people have access to college is critical to the economic security of North Carolina and our nation,” said NCDP Chair Jerry Meek. “With this bill, North Carolina Democrats in Congress are delivering on their promise to make college more affordable and accessible for all qualified students.

Meek added: “President Bush should sign this bill, which will invest more than $20 billion in college education, make college more affordable, and expand the American Dream for thousands of North Carolinians.”