At US Capitol Rally, GOP Leaders & Students Keep Heat on Dems to Act on Student Loans

Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) and Republican leaders joined college students from across the nation today in a rally at the U.S. Capitol urging Senate Democrats to follow the House's lead and take action on student loan interest rates, which doubled one week ago. Following are Congressman Boehner's remarks:

"You know, Republicans have acted to stop student loan interest rates from doubling and to make college more affordable for students across the country, including these students that are right here behind me. The White House and Senate Democrats have let these students down. And frankly, I think they deserve better. It's time for the president to lead, it's time for him to bring Senate Democrat leaders together and develop a solution.

"The House has done its job, it's time for the Senate and the White House to do its job. And if you look at what the House passed, it's very close to what the president offered in his own budget earlier this year.

"Listen, the failure to lead on student loans is part of the president's larger issue, and that is the failure to lead on the biggest issues facing our country: jobs and the economy. Every American deserves better than this new normal of slow economic growth, not enough jobs, and no increase in wages."

Source