College Students Get Stiffed, While Boehner Goes on Trips
Washington, DC- Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" newly elected Republican House Leader John Boehner tried to justify the outrageous Republican cuts of $12.7 billion to student aid, saying that these unnecessary budget cuts would save the government money.
But when asked about whether it would be better to make cuts to Member's pet projects, Boehner reluctantly agreed that it is hard to justify Congress spending billions on these projects while they are cutting student aid. When NBC's Tim Russert asked Boehner about him taking $157,000 in privately funded trips, Boehner didn"t deny his trips to plush destinations and acknowledged his cozy relationships with lobbyists saying, "these industry meetings occur in nice places. And--and thats where the--that's where the events are, that's where the speeches are."[Meet the Press, NBC, 5/5/06]
"House Republicans had a chance to elect a true reform candidate who would work to clean up the culture of corruption," said College Democrats of America President Grant Woodard. "Instead they chose to elect Rep. Boehner who thinks it's okay to give the cold shoulder to college students while giving a warm reception to special interests and lobbyists. Together, America can do better. Democrats are working hard for an honest and transparent government that doesn't value cushy golf outings and lobbyists' handouts more than the future of America's students."
