Capps pushes student act in first 100 hours

Rep. Lois Capps, D-Calif., discussed the passage of the Student Relief Act of 2007 last Wednesday in an interview with the Mustang Daily.

Capps was embroiled in what the Democrats called “the first 100 hours,” during which they pushed a number of pertinent bills through the House of Representatives.

The act, which has been stalled by partisan dysfunction in the past, will gradually lower interest rates on student loans from 6.8 in 2007 to a low of 3.4 percent in 2011.

The bill passed by a 356-71 margin, including 124 Republican votes, the most GOP support of any bill passed in the first 100 hours.

The vote signaled what Capps hopes to be continued bipartisan support for democratic legislation. The bill would save an incoming Cal Poly freshman more than $2,400 and $4,700 over the life of the loan.

Civil engineering senior Faryal Saiidnia said the bill may be too late for those graduating.

“I think (the bill) is a good thing for the incoming freshmen, I just wish it had been passed sooner,” she said.

Associated Students Inc. President Todd Maki also said the bill is a “good start,” but had reservations as to the duration of the bill.

“Anytime you can cut the cost of college education it’s a great thing. (The bill) is minimal compared to the cost of the college experience and there are some drawbacks, such as the tenure of the bill. Overall, it is a good piece of legislation,” Maki said.

Although Capps acknowledged the bill it is not a solution to the rising cost of higher education, she called the act a “step in the right direction.”

Opponents of the bill, mostly Republicans, point to the fact that the lowered interest rates are in effect only until the first half of 2011 – when they reach a low of 3.4 percent – after which they presumably return to 6.8 percent.

Many said that the bill was not a long-term solution to the financial burden placed upon students. Rep. Howard McKeon, R-Calif., likened the bill to giving students a “mortgage with no house.” Other opponents pointed to the opulent spending of American universities as a problem in need of attention.

Aside from the passage of the bill, Capps had another reason to be excited; Democrats are in control of the House for the first time since 1994. In addition, for the first time in U.S. history there is a female speaker of the House in the form of Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

“(Congress) has a lot to celebrate, this is a turning point for Congress and Speaker Pelosi will prove to be an effective leader.” Capps said.

The 69-year-old Capps also views Pelosi’s role as speaker as a sign to women everywhere that anything is possible.

She quoted Pelosi as saying this is “the breaking of a marble ceiling that had been in place in Washington.”

Despite the initial excitement, Capps and the House face a challenging road ahead, particularly with President Bush’s decision to send 21,500 additional troops into Iraq.

The Wisconsin native said she was shocked at the president’s decision to commit more troops adding, “The 2006 elections were a referendum on the war, (Bush) was obviously not paying attention.”

If the vote comes to the House, Capps said she cannot financially support the president’s decision.

“How can we pull troops out of Afghanistan where they are so desperately needed and send them to Iraq, where we have received less than a warm reception.Congress has to realize that we hold the purse strings,” Capps said.

Capps went on to say she wants every member of Congress on record (referring to a public vote) as to their support or dissent of the president’s decision.

Capps represents California’s 23rd congressional district, which encompasses portions of Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Capps won re-election to the 110th Congress in November, defeating San Luis Obispo businessman Victor Tognazzini.