House of Representatives Hammering Out Higher-Education Bill

Jonathan Lekstutis
November 15, 2007

The U.S House of Representatives is working on legislation that will dictate higher education policy for the next five years. Among the main issues the House of Representatives is working on is the increase in new grant programs and the increasing cost of tuition. Colleges are coming under scrutiny for the rising costs of education and lawmakers are beginning to look for ways to curb the rising cost of attending college.

Many amendments were proposed to deal with the rising cost of higher-education and there was vigorous debate on the floor of the House Representatives. One bill that was proposed, but eventually fell through, would have put certain colleges on a “watch list.” These colleges would need to slash their costs and curb their federal student aid funds by 10 percent a year if they do not meet certain benchmarks in regard to lowering tuition.

Lawmakers from across the aisle talked of taking more drastic measures and placing more restrictions on colleges and universities if they do not start to make college more affordable.