Rep. Johnson rejects Republican student loan bill

Congressman: Bill harms women who need screenings for breast, cervical cancer

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA) voted against H.R. 4628, the Republican student loan bill that maintains low federal student loan interest rates by slashing health care funds for breast and cervical cancer screenings.

“Instead of closing tax loopholes for Big Oil, Republicans are choosing to take billions of dollars that would be used to improve the health care of low-income and middle-income women and children to reduce student loan rates for low-income and middle-income college students,” said Johnson. “They are robbing Peter to pay Paul. It is the wrong choice for America.”

Johnson said he supports a more responsible bill (H.R. 4816) to block the increase in the student loan rate, but unlike the GOP offset that undermines the health of women and children, the offset ends tax breaks for the Big Five oil companies, which are enjoying record profits.

“I’m committed to preventing interest rates from doubling for more than seven million college students in the coming year,” said Johnson. “But Republicans offer us a false choice – we do not have to dismantle critical health care for women and children to keep college loans affordable.

“The five largest oil companies took in a record $137 billion in profits last year or almost $104 million per day. The oil industry receives $4 billion in tax breaks per year. They don’t need taxpayer help – it’s time to end their subsidies.”

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