Democrats Are Keeping Their Promises to Students

As exciting as this year's presidential race has been, another exciting development for young people took place just yesterday in the halls of Congress. Democrats in Congress, who have continued to fight everyday for America's families and students, yesterday passed the College Opportunity and Affordability Act in the House, a bill that makes higher education more accessible to all Americans. It builds on the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, a bill Democrats worked long and hard to make law last year even though Republicans tried to stop them.

What does this mean for students? Well, the bill does a number of important things to make college more affordable. Anyone paying for college in recent years has seen tuition skyrocket before our eyes. So the bill encourages universities to rein in costs and it creates a simple website that provides important information for families on how to pay for college.

It will also make applying for federal student aid -- a confusing and complicated process -- much easier. It makes Pell Grants, a critical source of aid for many students, available year-round, and makes textbooks more affordable. And it takes important steps to make college more accessible for our brave veterans and military families.

Passing this bill is just one more example of how Democrats are keeping their promises to young people in our country. Students voiced their concerns about the rising cost of college. But instead of sitting on their hands, like the Republicans had done for years, Democrats stood up for students and took quick action. And young people have taken note.

That's why we're seeing young voters come out in record numbers this primary season to support the Democratic presidential candidates--young people know that Democrats are talking about the issues that matter most to our generation, and that Democrats deliver.

We know that with a Democrat in charge, we'll get our troops out of Iraq, strengthen the economy, and get health care for everyone who needs it. And we know that with John McCain or another Republican in the White House, all we'd get is a third Bush term.

That's why young people will work day and night until we elect a Democratic president this November to bring our country the change we need.