Jun 29, 2012
Congressman Justin Amash Opposes Michigan Infrastructure Investments, Affordable Student Loans
Despite overwhelming bipartisan support, Congressman Justin Amash just voted against critical transportation and infrastructure projects and to force student loan rates to double for 7 million students and their families starting July 1st. Even though Congressman Justin Amash voted to protect taxpayer subsidies for Big Oil companies, she opposed transportation and infrastructure projects that create jobs in Michigan and voted to let student loan rates double – raising out-of-pocket costs for these students by an average of $1,000 per person.
“Congressman Amash today voted against Michigan middle class families when she tried to stop bipartisan efforts to invest in critical Michigan transportation projects, create jobs and stop student loan rates from doubling,” said Haley Morris of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Congressman Amash would have thrown away a chance to create good jobs and keep student loan rates affordable after spending 18 months consistently voting to protect millions in tax breaks for Big Oil. It’s clear where Congressman Amash stands and it’s not with Michigan’s middle class.”
Background
Congressman Justin Amash Voted Against a Bipartisan Agreement to Fund Transportation and to Double Student Loan Rates. On June 29, 2012, Congresswoman Justin Amash voted against bipartisan agreement to fund highway, public transit and surface transportation programs. The agreement is slated to create or save approximately 3 million jobs. The measure also included a provision to keep student loan interest rates from doubling for over 7 million students. [HR 4348, Vote #451, 6/29/12; CQ Today, 6/29/12; Chicago Tribune, 6/29/12]
Congressman Justin Amash Voted Against a Plan to Prevent an Increase in Student Loan Interest Rates. House Republicans voted against considering the Stop the Rate Hike Act of 2012. The measure would keep interest rates on need-based student loans at 3.4 percent in 2013, saving borrowers an average of $1,000 in loan repayment costs. Costs for the measure would have been offset by ending tax breaks for Big Oil. [H Res 691, Vote #389, 6/20/12; Congressional Record, p. H3817, 6/20/12]
303,368 Michigan Students Had Loans in the 2012-2013 Academic Year. [Education and Workforce Committee, accessed 6/29/12]
Two-Thirds of College Graduates Have Student Loans to Pay Off. “About two-thirds of college graduates have some student loans to pay off, and their average debt is about $25,000 to $28,700, according to estimates by education experts and organizations. (About 10% of those with loans owe more than $50,000 or so.)” [LA Times, 5/20/12]
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