KENNEDY ON FINAL PASSAGE OF HIGHER EDUCATION ACT REAUTHORIZATION
Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, today released the following statement praising the final passage of legislation to reauthorize the Higher Education Act of 1965. Approval of the conference agreement on the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 passed the Senate by a vote of 83-8.
"Today's action sends a clear message that improving college opportunities for the nation's students and families is again a top priority for Congress. Last year, we passed the largest increase in college aid since the G.I. Bill. Earlier this summer, we made sure that students can get federal loans despite turbulence in the credit markets. And now, we're enacting sweeping higher education reform that tackles skyrocketing costs, simplifies college aid, reins in abuses by lenders, helps the troops and gives intellectually disabled students a chance." Kennedy said. "I'm enormously grateful to Senator Barbara Mikulski for her leadership in getting this legislation across the finish line."
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