From the Desk of Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy

From the Desk of
Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy

McCarthy Statement on the Appropriations Committee
Vote on the Tiahrt Amendment

"The House Appropriations Committee failed to give our law enforcement the necessary tools to solve crimes by renewing the dangerous Tiahrt Amendment. I am greatly disappointed the Committee's decided to protect the 1 percent of bad gun dealers in this nation rather than our law enforcement. I remain committed to removing this language during full debate on the House floor."

McCarthy Student Loan Forgiveness Language Included in House Passed College Cost Reduction Act

The House voted to approve legislation that would make the single largest investment in college financial aid since the 1944 GI Bill, helping millions of students and families pay for college - and doing so at no new cost to U.S. taxpayers.

Included in this legislation is $5,000 in student loan forgiveness for teachers and nurses, a measure Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy secured during the Education and Labor Committee's consideration.

"Our nation is facing a shortage of teachers and nurses," McCarthy said. "By offering student loan forgiveness, the federal government has taken a great leap toward reducing this shortage and giving our young men and women an opportunity to pursue these vital fields."

In order to qualify, teachers must be employed in a full-time position for five consecutive complete school years in an underserved area. Nurses must work full time, for five consecutive complete years in a clinical setting, or as a member of the nursing faculty at an accredited school of nursing.

"Today's House vote brings us one step closer to improving the health care and education of our nation's underserved areas," McCarthy added. "I am hopeful the Senate will move swiftly on this important legislation to make college more affordable for all students nationwide."

The College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 (H.R. 2669) will boost college financial aid by $18 billion over the next five years. The legislation pays for itself by reducing excessive federal subsidies paid to lenders in the college loan industry by $19 billion. It also includes nearly $1 billion in federal budget deficit reduction. The Senate is expected to vote on similar legislation this month.