Lee Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Make Higher Education More Affordable
WASHINGTON– Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV), Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ), Congressman Greg Stanton (D-AZ), and Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Earn to Learn Act. In response to spiking, unsustainable higher education costs, this common-sense legislation would establish a matched-savings program to help low-income students, including adult learners, pay for tuition, books, fees, and other education-related expenses. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate today by Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT).
This bipartisan bill is a much-needed step to correct a higher education system whose prohibitive costs have for far too long set Nevadans back from attaining an affordable, high-quality education and embarking on fruitful careers. Over 330,000 Nevadans together owe approximately $11.5 billion in student loan debt, a total that is especially shackling in a state that leads the nation with a student loan default rate of 18.16%.
Modeled off of Arizona’s successful Earn to Learn program, the Earn to Learn Act helps Nevadans achieve the education and training they need without taking on crippling debt, through a program that provides financial literacy training and matches contributions to educational savings accounts eight to one. As seen during the program’s operations at the state level, Earn to Learn scholars have a first-year retention rate nearing 90%, and the majority of them graduate with little or no student loan debt.
“Education is the key to opportunity. As a lifelong education advocate, I’ve seen that firsthand and I know how unbalanced the scales can be tipped,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV). “Like a lot of folks, I was only able to pay for school with the help of scholarships, loans, and a number of part-time jobs. Unfortunately, the cost of higher education has skyrocketed in recent decades, and it’s beyond cost-prohibitive for far too many American families. That’s why I’m proud to join Congressman Schweikert in introducing the bipartisan, bicameral Earn to Learn Act. This commonsense bill will build a national matched savings program to help families save and ensure that every student has the opportunity to pursue the education that will help them reach their dreams.”
"I'm pleased to reintroduce the bipartisan Earn to Learn Act to provide Arizona students with the ability to save for their college education, develop sound financial literacy, and put them on track to not only graduate, but secure a job in their chosen field. Over the last decade, Arizona has proven to be a national leader in promoting programs that provide critical resources to students who need them most. Taking Earn to Learn nationwide helps expand access to higher education, address our country's labor shortage, and ultimately grow the economy by making society more productive,” said Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ).
“Earn to Learn is an Arizona success story. Not only has this program helped thousands of low-income students get a quality education and graduate without going deep into debt—our economy has benefitted enormously from a more educated workforce,” said Congressman Greg Stanton (D-AZ). “Our bipartisan Learn to Earn Act applies this proven program at the federal level, helping make college a reality for students of all backgrounds nationwide.”
“As a community college alumni and Pell Grant recipient, I know firsthand how life-changing access to higher education can be. Earn to Learn has a proven track record in Arizona, equipping students who need it most with the resources they need to succeed. With our country experiencing a worsening labor shortage, it's time to take this matched-savings program nationally and help students finance their education, develop sound financial literacy, and gain valuable skills to improve the nation's labor force. I'm pleased to join Representatives Lee, Schweikert, and Stanton in introducing the bipartisan Earn to Learn Act to reduce student loan debt and make college more affordable,” said Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ).
You can find endorsements and more information about the Earn to Learn Act here.
Representing the Third Congressional District of Nevada, Congresswoman Lee is a staunch advocate for finding common ground and advancing bipartisan investments in Nevadans’ futures. An education leader even before coming to Congress, she leads the bicameral Keep Our Promise to America’s Children and Teachers Act, which would ensure full funding for federal programs to support disadvantaged students and children with disabilities. As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Women’s Caucus and Vice Chair of the Problem Solvers’ Caucus, Congresswoman Lee has been named one of the top ten most bipartisan Members in the U.S. House and the most bipartisan Member from Nevada.
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