Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today urged the House Republican leadership to swiftly bring up and pass legislation that will prevent student loan interest rates from doubling, from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent, on July 1st.  Loebsack is a cosponsor of H.R. 3826, which would ensure the increase does not occur.  If the increase were to go into effect, the average student borrower would have to pay an additional $1000.  Loebsack is a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, which has jurisdiction over this legislation.

"With tuition rising rapidly and far too many Iowans struggling to make ends meet, middle-class families are finding it more and more difficult to pay for college. I strongly believe that every student deserves the opportunity to attend college if they wish to pursue higher education," wrote Loebsack.  "I grew up in poverty, and I would not have had the opportunity to attend college without financial assistance. It is extremely important that we work to address student loan interest rates because without Congressional action, 7 million low- and middle-income families will be subject to a $6 billion interest rate hike."

As a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, Loebsack has championed numerous pieces of legislation to increase access to higher education, including:

• College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) Loebsack helped craft and pass this legislation, which makes college more affordable and accessible for all Iowans by increasing the maximum Pell Grant scholarship and expanding eligibility;
• Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, H.R. 3221 Loebsack was a cosponsor of this bill, which will save American taxpayers $61 billion by making the student loan process more efficient.  The bill further expanded the maximum Pell Grant available from $5,550 in 2010 to $5,975 in 2017, granting Iowa students more than $291 million for higher education. This bill was the largest single investment in student aid in America's history, and will make college more accessible, transform the way student loan programs operate and strengthens community colleges.

A copy of the letter Loebsack sent to the House Speaker and the Chairman of the Education and the Workforce Committee can be seen here.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that he will tour two small businesses in Bettendorf on MONDAY, April 23rd at 1:00pm.  Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and Loebsack will see firsthand the products and goods that are made and sold in Iowa.  Details of his visit are below.  Media is invited to attend.

"What I hear time and again from small business owners here in Iowa is the same thing I hear from students, parents and educators: We must build and make things here at home again," said Loebsack.  "I am excited to meet with the owners and employees of these businesses to hear firsthand their ideas for growing our economy."

Small Business Tour

Terrostar Technology Solutions and Medix

3565 Utica Ridge Road

Bettendorf

1:00pm

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today applauded the U.S. Department of Education's announcement that they will focus on improving Career and Technical Education (CTE).  Loebsack has been a longtime supporter of CTE programs and is the sponsor of the SECTORS Act, which will retool and streamline our workforce development programs to train workers for specialized fields by creating partnerships between private industry and education. The Department of Education's proposal includes incentives for similar public-private partnerships.

"I continually hear from employers that despite the unacceptable unemployment rate, they can't find people with the skills they need.  We must ensure workers have the training they need to get good paying jobs and employers have access to a workforce that has the skills that are required in a 21st century economy," said Loebsack.  "Career and Technical Education has the potential to create jobs that will keep Iowa's young talent in the state and make American students more competitive in the global economy.  We should continue to focus on preparing students to secure good jobs and to help grow our economy."

The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education program provides support for career and technical education through grants to states. The program's goal is to help students acquire the academic and technical skills that prepare them for high-skill, high-wage, high-demand occupations. In Iowa, Perkins provides support for career education in agricultural fields, business and information technology, industrial technology, and health occupations, among other fields.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack, a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, released the following statement on Equal Pay Day, which is intended to bring attention to the inequality in pay between genders and marks how much longer a woman must work into 2012 to earn as much as a man earned in 2011. According to Census data, in 2011 women earned just 77 percent of what was earned by their male counterparts.

"Equal Pay is not a women's issue or a man's issue, it is a family issue.  In today's tough economy, Iowa's working families are pinching every penny just to make ends meet and in most families with children, both parents work.  It is now more critical than ever that our mothers, daughter, sisters and aunts receive the same pay for the same work as their male counterparts so our families do not have to sacrifice basic necessities.

"In the 49 years since the Equal Pay Act was first signed into law, substantial steps have been made in addressing the wage gap between men and women, but more must be done.  I was proud to help introduce the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which restored a women's right to challenge unfair pay. This legislation was signed into law by the President in January 2009.  I am also a cosponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act that would not only give a much needed update to the Equal Pay Act, but it would also help working families by eliminating the wage gap.

"Standing up for equal pay benefits everyone - men, women and children. It also strengthens families across Iowa.  It is time we pass the Paycheck Fairness Act and eliminate the wage gap."