Committee Leaders React to President's Remarks on Higher Education

Congressman John Kline, Chairman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 27, 2012 CONTACT: Press Office (202) 226-9440 Committee Leaders React to President's Remarks on Higher Education  WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-MN) and Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) today issued the following statements in response to President Obama’s remarks on college costs at the University of Michigan: Chairman Kline: “The president’s remarks correctly describe the value of a higher education and the challenges facing many individuals who are eager to pursue the dream of a college degree. We all want to promote efforts that will reduce college costs, but the era of empty promises has to end. The interest rate hike students face is the result of a ticking time bomb set by Democrats five years ago. Simply calling for more of the same is a disservice to students and taxpayers. "Competition and transparency are basic principles Republicans have long supported to help lower costs in higher education, and institutions have a responsibility to do everything they can to provide a good education at an affordable price. We need responsible solutions that will serve the students of today and tomorrow without increasing the federal role in our nation’s education system. The president has proposed a number of interesting ideas that deserve a careful review." Chairwoman Foxx: “I appreciate the president’s remarks today and for helping to shine a spotlight on the challenges students face earning a college degree. However, I am disappointed the president failed to take a comprehensive view of the problem. Any discussion about the cost of higher education must include the role played by federal regulations. In November, I chaired a hearing that examined not only the solutions some institutions are adopting to bring down costs, but also discussed the consequences of unnecessary regulations. Onerous regulations come with a price and that price is often paid by students. As we take a look at the president’s proposal, we hope he will give serious consideration to Republican efforts to rein in the regulatory burden facing higher education.”