Higher education is as important today as high school was for our parents, but it’s financially out of reach for too many Americans. The cost of a four-year college education has risen 40 percent in the last five years. According to the Coalition of Higher Education Assistance Organizations, each year 200,000 students are priced out of the system.

I believe that no young person who works hard enough to get into a post-secondary education program should be denied that opportunity for financial reasons. Such ambition and hard work are assets to our society and our economy. House Democrats have been focused on making college more affordable. More often than not, John Kline has been standing in their way.

Congressman Kline voted against cutting interest rates for students with federally subsidized loans. He voted against low- and middle-income students by opposing an increase in the maximum Pell Grant. In both cases, costs were offset by reductions in government payments to lenders and agencies that guarantee student loans. John Kline opposed them anyway.

I would support these initiatives and more. As a new congressman in the Democratic majority, and as someone who has dedicated much of my life to service, I would sponsor not only initiatives such as these, but also educational rewards for both military and civic service.

• The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act will renew our nation’s commitment to those who serve in the military. After World War II, the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, better known as the G.I. Bill, transformed our nation, strengthening the middle class through higher education. It yielded a $7 to $1 return-on-investment for our country, leading to better jobs and more purchasing power, higher rates of home ownership and many other benefits for our country. Unfortunately, over the years, our investment in this program has not kept pace with needs. Sen. Jim Webb and Rep. Bobby Scott, respectively the Senate and House sponsors of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, will have my support for their bill when I get to Congress.
• We should guarantee affordable higher education to those who serve our nation through programs like Peace Corps and AmeriCorps. Doing so would boost participation in these valuable programs, provide more people with the opportunity for post-secondary education, and enrich and prepare civic-minded young adults for the challenges our future holds.
  

Financing post-secondary education is one of the best investments in a prosperous, peaceful society. It’s time to change course in higher education. As a Congressman, I will stand up for - not stand in the way of - making it more affordable.