With the Senate failing yesterday to pass legislation to block the July 1^st doubling of some Stafford Student Loan interest rates, Rep. Peter Welch today brought the stories of Vermonters struggling with student loan debt to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

To see video of Welch’s remarks, CLICK HERE.

“This is about more than extending the low rates on the Stafford Loans,” Welch said from the House floor. “It’s really about whether we’re going to have a pathway for people trying to climb into the middle class to get there and for people in the middle class to stay there.”

In recent weeks, Welch has been encouraging students and families to share their stories on his website at www.welch.house.gov/studentdebt. As the stories come in, the message is clear: Student loan debt is a life-long financial shackle weighing down Vermont students, families and professionals.

Welch is pushing for passage of H.R. 3826, which would extend the current 3.4 percent interest rate on Federal Direct Stafford Student Loans.