How Arne Duncan Is Undercutting Senate Democrats On Student Loan Reforms

[G_j]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/07/arne-duncan-student-loans-senate_n_5276211.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000013

WASHINGTON -- The Department of Education is stonewalling Democratic lawmakers' efforts to protect student borrowers from sky-high interest rates and dishonest loan practices, driving a wedge between Senate Democrats and the Obama administration over economic policy in an election year.

This week, two dozen Democratic senators led by Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts introduced a bill that would enable millions of borrowers to refinance expensive student loans at significantly lower interest rates, allowing many to save thousands of dollars a year.

The proposal is a central element of Senate Democrats' election-year "fair shot" agenda, and enjoys broad support from the party's leadership. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) expects to bring the legislation to a vote after Memorial Day, forcing Republicans to take an unpopular position if they wish to block the bill.

But it’s not just the Republicans who pose an obstacle. Over the past year, Education Department officials have refused to share critical information with legislators and outside supporters that could have helped shape the legislation. Members of Congress said they have been denied access to information that would determine how many borrowers could benefit from refinancing programs, how much money individual borrowers could save, and the impact of the legislation on the federal budget deficit.

Instead, department officials have issued vague warnings to refinancing advocates that the cost could run into the hundreds of billions of dollars and force the Education Department -- which generates significant profit from student loans -- to cut Pell Grants to low-income students. The White House has not taken a position on the bill.

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[Laelth]

1. What a strange article.

It suggests that the White House and the Education Department are not, in effect, the same entity. They should be. The Secretary of Education serves at the leisure of the President, and when the Education Department does something, it's the President's responsibility. To say that the "White House has not taken a position on the bill" strikes me as at least slightly disingenuous.

-Laelth

[hughee99]

2. It sounds like the author wanted to give an account of what's going on,

but felt the need to try to absolve the WH of ANY responsibility in the matter.

[Vincardog]

3. PRobly because to critizise any appointed official or policy is Obama BASHING.