THE HOUSE

Student Aid By a vote of 365 for and three against, the House sent to conference with the Senate a bill (HR 3553) expanding and liberalizing the programs that provide financial aid to millions of ,1 post-secondary students.

The five-year extension of the Higher Education Act nearly doubles the maximum “Pell” grant for poor and middle-income students, setting the cap at $4,500. “Stafford” loans, mainly for middle-income students, are capped at $2,625 for freshmen and sophomores and $4,000 for juniors and seniors.

The bill begins a 5% loan origination fee, but provides more liberal interest subsidies and income eligibility ceilings for loans. How They Voted

Rep. Beilenson (D): Yea

Rep. Berman (D): No vote

Rep. Dixon (D): Yea

Rep. Levine (D): Nay

Rep. Waxman (D): Nay

Pell Grants The House voted 351 for and 39 against to end a program enabling prisoners to receive Pell grants for post-secondary education. The ban was attached to HR 3553. Prisoners receive an estimated $160 million in the federal grants each year, with the payments usually flowing from the Treasury to organizations that conduct the classes.

A yes vote was to end Pell grants for prisoners. How They Voted

Rep. Beilenson (D): Yea

Rep. Berman (D): Yea

Rep. Dixon (D): Yea

Rep. Levine (D): No vote

Rep. Waxman (D): Yea

Tax Cuts By a vote of 211 for and 215 against, the House failed to override President Bush’s veto of legislation (HR 4210) providing tax cuts and credits for the middle-class paid for by higher taxes on upper-income persons. This killed the $77.5 billion measure touted by Democratic sponsors as an economic recovery initiative.

A yes vote was to override a presidential veto and enact the bill. How They Voted

Rep. Beilenson (D): Nay

Rep. Berman (D): Yea

Rep. Dixon (D): Yea

Rep. Levine (D): No vote

Rep. Waxman (D): Yea

Source: Roll Call Report Syndicate