If you've spent any time outside of a cave - or more appropriately, the stacks - in the last year, you've likely heard something about the economy, health care, or education. Hopefully word has reached you that all of these issues taken up by Congress in the last year will have direct impacts on students. The 111th Congress has passed a broad mix of legislation affecting everything from health insurance to Pell grants. Fortunately, Congressman Tom Perriello, representing the fifth district, has fought hard for these reforms and has sponsored some of the legislation. University students would serve themselves well to take an active role in this important campaign year.
In 2009, Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Co-authored by Perriello, included in this bill was the College Learning Access, Simplicity, and Savings Act, also known as the CLASS Act. This legislation provided a $2,500 tax credit to cover the costs of related higher education expenses, including textbooks for the first time ever. Taking the savings even further, $1,000 of the credit is refundable. In a time when the economy remains uncertain and the cost of education is skyrocketing, students need leaders like Perriello to continue representing their interests in Congress. However, this tax credit, known as the American Opportunity Tax Credit, is only a small portion of the education initiatives undertaken by this Congress.
The Recovery Act also included a dramatic increase in funding for the Pell Grant, a program providing funds to lower income students to offset the costs of higher education. Of a total funding increase of $17.1 billion, roughly $190 million have benefitted students in Virginia. The legislation also increased the maximum grant to $5,350. These Pell Grant awards help a number of students at the University and help level the playing field for opportunity in this country. But the Recovery Act is not the only legislation this Congress has passed to change the way student funding works. The recently passed Healthcare and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act also dramatically aides students. It provides another $40 billion to the Pell Grant program and makes loans directly between the government and students, effectively cutting out the middle man. Not only will these reforms increase the solvency of the Pell Grant program, but it will benefit students while simultaneously saving the government $19 billion through 2019, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Fortunately, students here in the fifth district have Perriello to thank for leading the charge for reform. And this November, they will choose between Perriello and the opposition that has fought these endeavours every step of the way.
The student-related legislation, however, does not stop there. The Democratic-led Congress, as everyone has now heard, also passed reforms to allow students to stay on their parents' health insurance through age 26. At a time when younger Americans are most vulnerable to losing health insurance coverage, the Health and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act solves that dilemma. Those that will be covered by this provision fall into the largest age group of the uninsured and the legislation goes a long way to securing access to affordable health care for everyone. Again, Congressman Perriello sides with students and with people on this issue, not lobbyists or special interests.
The problem at hand is not one of confusion among students but one of apathy. Students on grounds are some of the brightest in the nation. Despite the overwhelming challenges to separate myth and fact in a hyperpartisan political climate, most students here can understand the realities of education reform, health reform, and the stimulus package. The problem is they are too uninvolved. While University students are undoubtedly some of the busiest (and apparently most stressed) students in our country, to excuse ourselves from important issues and elections leaves us with no voice to make change. In a midterm election year, I am calling on students to take to the streets for their causes. I know my intent is to spend as much of this summer working for someone who works for me: Congressman Perriello. Unfortunately, his opposition has vowed to repeal the Healthcare and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act. His opposition has railed against the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Hopefully when you hear such partisan talking points that, if acted upon, would repeal the strongest actions to protect student interests in recent history, you feel a call to action. But whether you hate these reforms or love them, staying home cannot be an option. Too much legislation has passed, too many reforms are in jeopardy, and too much change is on the horizon to simply sit home and watch.
Rex Young is a Viewpoint writer for The Cavalier Daily.
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