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Politics

Darren Soto Looks to Reduce Student Loans for STEM Majors

February 9, 2017 - 8:15am
Darren Soto
Darren Soto

This week, freshman U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., introduced his first bill in Congress which would reduce the burden for students who obtain degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines.

Soto unveiled the American Science Principal and Interest Reduction and Employment (ASPIRE) Act, calling for a “25 percent reduction in federal student loans for students who graduate with a degree in a STEM field, including loans taken out by parents.”

On Tuesday, Soto explained why he had brought out the proposal. 
 
"These are the jobs of the future and our goal is to motivate our youth to get an education and train in a career that is in high demand," said Soto. “Working to create high-paying jobs is my priority in this Congress but everything starts with a solid education." 

Soto pointed to numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) which show STEM jobs offer almost twice the national average of other jobs.  The Central Florida Democrat also noted that BLS is estimating there will be 9 million STEM jobs in the United States by 2022. 

After he brought it out on Tuesday, Soto’s bill was sent to the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee. There is currently no companion measure in the U.S. Senate. 

U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., announced that he was going to co-sponsor Soto’s bill. 

“STEM fields are an important driver of the 21st century economy,” Swalwell said on Wednesday. “With millions of young people and families in financial quicksand from mounting student debt, we must do what we can to relieve that weight and not deter students from pursuing degrees in fields that will progress innovation. Thanks to Congressman Soto to help support the young people who are building the future of our nation.”

Comments

Now that is "break-with" thinking. Start with the step where so many students, and families, can't get past. The way the loan system is set up burdens not only the student, but the parents. Helping one child get through college is hard enough, but add 2, 3... and it is virtually impossible to carry that level of debt. APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE! Nice work Mr. Soto! Let's see how many of your colleagues on both sides are brave enough to step up along side of your idea.

Why would we discriminate about the type of education to give subsidiaries to? Is Mr. Soto aware that our military academies (West Point for example) are all Liberal Arts schools?

Thank You Representative Soto! I am glad that you are my Congressman!

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