"U.S. House Democrats may have to pare back plans to reduce the interest rates charged students for student loans," reports Dow Jones. "They have not stated any intention to curtail subsidy reductions to lenders intended to offset the cost to the government of such a lending rate cut and an increase in Pell Grants. The rate cut was part of the 'Six for '06' campaign platform championed by now-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. But the proposal's cost, coupled with opposition to the idea from the White House and Senate Democrats, means Pelosi may have to settle for less. The talks are being watched closely by lenders because the rate cut's cost to the government were to be offset with cuts to federal subsidies for student lenders of an estimated $18 billion, or 70%."