Education

Gathered in the shade on the steps of Suzzallo Library on Monday morning, Democratic members of Washington’s congressional delegation called on Congress to roll back the doubling of student-loan interest rates.The rate on federal subsidized loans rose Monday from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent, after Congress was unable to come up with a compromise to retain the lower rate.“The… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene signed onto a discharge petition today to force an up-or-down vote on key legislation that would stop the doubling of the interest rate for subsidized Stafford loans on July 1.  The bill, which DelBene is co-sponsoring, would freeze the interest rate on these loans at 3.4% for the next two years – giving Congress time to enact comprehensive student… Read more »

Student loan rates for millions across the country are set to double on July 1 unless lawmakers in Congress act. They were initially lowered when the recession started to help families as the economy tanked.Right now, the rate on a typical subsidized student loan is 3.4%.  That is set to go to 6.8% on July 1.Washington Congresswoman Suzan DelBene is sponsoring a bill to extend the… Read more »

Washington’s food-stamp program has helped thousands find jobs and get off public assistance through a federally funded employment-training program. A bill in the U.S. House calls for replicating that program nationally.Dede O’Loughlin’s mother dropped out of high school and got by on food stamps. Then O’Loughlin herself became that mother to her three… Read more »

The House of Representatives is expected to vote Thursday on a plan by Congressional Republicans to avert a scheduled doubling of student loan interest rates. The bill is a bad one that lawmakers should reject in favor of a solution offered by U.S. Rep Suzan DelBene, D-Washington. DelBene’s bill would keep current low student loan interest rates for two years while… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene released the following statement on today’s vote by the House to address the doubling of interest rates for subsidized Stafford loans, which are set to increase from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on July 1, 2013. Congresswoman DelBene offered an amendment to improve the bill by lowering the cap on rates for student loans. Her amendment was blocked from receiving a vote on the floor by House leadership. Read more »

Democratic Congresswoman Suzan DelBene is not a sponsor of the farm bill put forth today by House Republicans. But the Medina lawmaker did get her proposal to boost job training for food stamp recipients included in the legislation offered up by Republican Congressman Frank Lucas of Oklahoma. Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene introduced legislation today to create a new national competitive grant program dedicated to funding job training programs to support low-income individuals currently on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The legislation will create pilot projects designed to facilitate access to the education and job skills necessary for participants to get well-paying jobs and reduce their need for government assistance. Read more »

Shielding student loans from rising interest rates was a prime topic for discussion Wednesday during U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene’s visit to Skagit Valley College. Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene co-sponsored legislation this week to maintain low interest rates on subsidized Stafford student loans, which are set to double in July unless Congress takes action.In 2007, Congress passed the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, lowering the student loan rates from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent over a four-year period and easing the burden on thousands of… Read more »