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Rep. Ilhan Omar Introduces, Passes Amendment to College Affordability Act

October 31, 2019

WASHINGTON – Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) today voted for the College Affordability Act in the House Education and Labor Committee – a strong, comprehensive overhaul of higher education policy that ensures students can spend less and earn more. This bill will make college more affordable, improve the quality of education, prevent predatory for-profit schools from defrauding students and increase federal assistance to low and middle income students.

This legislation includes an amendment introduced by Rep. Omar that creates a commission to study the impact of student loan debt on borrowers and our economy. The amendment makes recommendations on how the federal government could move forward to cancel student loan debt – a revolutionary, progressive policy proposed by Rep. Omar's Student Loan Debt Cancellation Act.

"I am proud to cosponsor and vote for the College Affordability Act. There are currently 45 million Americans that face $1.6 trillion in student loan debt and have received minimal help from the Department of Education," said Rep. Omar. "I believe education is a public good. Student debt is preventing millions of Americans from achieving the American Dream – and holding back our entire economy. My amendment helps shift our policies away from a system that benefits lenders and banks, and instead focuses on how we can invest in people and protect the future of our students."