HOUSE Republican Leader John Boehner

Washington, Jul 11, 2007 -

Led by Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL), House Republicans today are mobilizing to defeat a Democratic proposal that would allow virtually anyone who works for the federal government or a non-profit organization – including Members of Congress and lobbyists working for non-profit entities – to have their student loans forgiven at the expense of American taxpayers. 

“The Democrats’ proposal is outrageous and irresponsible.  Taxpayer dollars should not be used to erase student loan debts for Members of Congress or lobbyists,” said House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH).  “I commend Congressman Roskam for taking action today to stop this big government giveaway on behalf of American taxpayers.”

This misguided Democratic proposal is included in the so-called “student aid” bill brought to the floor today by the majority leadership in the House, a bill that has come under fire from House Republicans for creating nine new federal entitlement spending programs.  Democratic leaders last year promised they would work in a bipartisan manner to rein in runaway entitlement spending in Washington if put in charge of Congress, and would seek to limit congressional perks and privileges.  Instead, they have brought legislation to the floor that would create nine entirely new entitlement spending programs and allow Members of Congress, lobbyists, and others to receive new financial benefits at taxpayer expense. 

Rep. Roskam today will offer a GOP measure that would send the Democrats’ so-called “student aid” bill back to committee to be stripped of this taxpayer-funded giveaway.  The Roskam motion would specify that any borrower who is a full-time elected official or a registered lobbyist at either the state or federal level would be ineligible for the taxpayer-funded loan forgiveness benefits congressional Democrats are seeking to provide through their “student aid” bill.  The Roskam has been offered as the GOP motion to recommit on the Democrats’ bill.