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Secretary of Education Speaks at Democratic National Convention
By Catherine Groux
Posted September 07, 2012 12:00 PM
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan spoke at the Democratic National Convention.Last night at the Democratic National Convention, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan highlighted President Barack Obama's dedication to education and the steps he has taken to improve it since being elected.
Duncan emphasized the work Obama has done to keep student loan interest rates from doubling. During a weekly address in April, the president encouraged Congress to keep interest rates from rising, which would force about 7.5 million college students to pay more on their loans. Heeding the president's advice, Congress voted to freeze student loan interest rates on the brink of their July 1 deadline.
By keeping interest rates low, fighting for Pell Grants and taking big banks out of the federal student loan program, Duncan said Obama has helped almost 10 million students afford associate's and bachelor's degrees.
The secretary then stated that Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney wants to cut funds for the federal Pell Grant program. While Romney and running mate Paul Ryan feel giving less money to this program will help it run longer, Duncan said reducing funds would only put higher education out of reach for millions of Americans.
"They see education as an expensive," Duncan said. "President Obama sees it as an investment. That's the choice in this election, and that's why our president needs four more years."
