|
 Dear Supporter,,
Democrats should change their party emblem from a donkey to a chicken. Seriously.
Last week the Democratic Congress had an opportunity to repeal a federal law that denies student loans and other financial assistance to students who commit drug law offenses. Rather than fight, Democrats cluck-cluck-clucked their way to retreat. But they have several more chances to do the right thing, and we’re hoping that flooding Congress with faxes and e-mails will convince them there is public support for repealing this draconian drug law.
So please take action today, and forward this alert to everyone you know.
Background
In 1998 Congress passed an amendment to the Higher Education Act (HEA) offered by Representative Mark Souder (R-IN) that bars people with drug law convictions -- no matter how minor -- from receiving student financial assistance for specified periods of time (a year to life depending on the severity and number of drug law offenses). More than 200,000 people have been denied student loans and other assistance because of the law.
In 2006, Congress passed a partial reform of the penalty. This change amended the Higher Education Act to allow some students with past offenses to receive aid, but it still retains the penalty for those who commit offenses while enrolled in school and receiving aid. In other words, thousands of students are still being kicked out of college for minor drug law offenses like marijuana possession.
Earlier this year House and Senate Democrats indicated they would make repealing the HEA Aid Elimination Penalty a priority when considering legislation to reauthorize the Higher Education Act. Senate Democrats included major reform language in their version of HEA Reauthorization. When the bill got to the floor, however, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) offered an amendment killing the reform. Senate Democrats accepted the amendment without any opposition whatsoever.
Last week Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) was prepared to offer an amendment in committee to HEA Reauthorization that would repeal the Aid Elimination Penalty. The amendment was co-sponsored by Danny Davis (D-IL), Donald Payne (D-NJ), and Yvette Clarke (D-NY), and supported by other members of Congress, including Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA). But they were asked by the committee’s powerful chair, George Miller (D-CA), not to offer it.
The rumor on the street is that the House Democratic leadership doesn’t want the amendment in the bill because Republicans would try to take it out on the floor, which would lead to a floor vote putting Democrats on record in support of repealing the provision. In other words, Democrats are chicken. Actually, they’re not just chicken, they’re short-sighted. Kicking students out of school for drug law offenses increases drug abuse and hurts families. This is why the American people want the Aid Elimination Penalty repealed.
Fortunately, there will be several more chances to pass this amendment - possibly this year, but most likely early next year. If we can get thousands of Americans to write Congress in support of repealing this provision we can convince the Democratic leadership to do the right thing.
Thank you,
Bill Piper
Director of National Affairs
Drug Policy Alliance
Contact the Drug Policy Alliance:
Drug Policy Alliance
70 West 36th Street, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10018 |
|
 |
|
In this DPA Action Network alert, you can make a difference:
 |
|
To view other actions, see actions you've completed, or edit your profile please log on to the DPA Personal Action Center. |
