Kline Will Replace McKeon as Ranking Republican on House Education Committee

Minnesota Congressman John Kline was chosen today by the House Republican Steering Committee to replace Rep. Howard P. (Buck) McKeon (R-CA) as the ranking Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee.

Kline has not be very active in higher education issues, except for his efforts to increase education benefits for veterans. In the 110th Congress, Congressman Kline introduced the "Veterans Upward Bound Improvement Act," legislation under the TRiO program that helps Reservists and National Guardsmen who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001, participate in federal programs to refresh their academic skills. Previously, numerous veterans who were called to serve (including combat service) for less than 180 days were not eligible for the Veterans Upward Bound Program.

Congressman Kline's first bill to become law was the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act, which was designed to ensure U.S. military reservists called to active duty are not forced to make payments on federal student loans while serving overseas. In 2007, Congressman Kline's initiative was made permanent.

Kline will replace McKeon who has been an outspoken supporter of FFELP. McKeon left the committee to become the ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee. McKeon's departure from the committee comes shortly before the committee will mark up legislation to dramatically change the student loan programs and likely propose eliminating FFELP.

Kline became a top candidate to replace McKeon after more-senior committee Republicans removed themselves from the list of candidates. He received more votes from the Republican Steering Committee than Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Joe Wilson of (R-SC) in a vote yesterday.

"Serious battles lie ahead for the Education and Labor Committee," Kline said in a press release. "I have earned the trust of my colleagues and stakeholders in the education and labor communities, and I am ready to take the lead."

The committee's chairman George Miller welcomed Kline to the new position.

"Our committee has a proud tradition of working together in a bipartisan way to improve the lives of America's children, students, workers and families," Miller said in a press release. "I look forward to continuing this tradition and working with him in the busy months ahead to make college more affordable."

Recent Voting Record

Supported:

H.R.5715 Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008

Opposed:

H.R.1388 The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act
H.R.4137 College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007
H.R.5 College Student Relief Act of 2007
H.R.1429 Improving Head Start Act of 2007
H.R.2669 College Cost Reduction Act of 2007
H.R.3043 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008

By Haley Chitty
NASFAA Director of Communications

Posted 06/18/09 to www.NASFAA.org. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited. Please submit Web site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org.