Republicans Insert Healthcare Into Student Loan Fight
The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives defied a veto threat by President Barack Obama on Friday and voted to take money from his healthcare overhaul to extend low-interest rates for federal student loans.
On a mostly party-line vote of 215-195, the House sent the measure to the Senate where Obama’s Democrats are certain to reject it. Like Obama, they want to renew the low rate, but favor covering the one-year, $6 billion cost by ending a tax break for the rich.
The matter has emerged as the latest hot issue in advance of the November 6 congressional and presidential elections. Members on both sides are vying for the youth vote and the support of parents struggling help put their children through college.