US Congress. Phone your Senator!The federal law that denies student loans and other financial assistance to students convicted of drug law offenses is on the ropes — and you can help us knock it out. Congress reformed the law last year by eliminating the retroactive part of it, but it still affects tens of thousands of students. Fortunately, the U.S. Senate committee that handles education is considering completely repealing this counterproductive law. That’s where you come in.
You might be living in a state that has a senators on the committee (check the list below), and he or she needs to hear from constituents like you that this law should be overturned. Would you please take two minutes to make a phone call to your senator’s office? Here’s what you can do.
Look at the list of states below to find your Senator. Call your Senator’s office and tell your Senator to repeal the HEA Drug Provision (talking points and background information are below). Forward this alert to your friends and family in your state.
Talking Points
My name is: (your name)
I live in: (the city you live in)
I am calling because I heard that the HELP Committee will soon be revising the Higher Education Act.
I urge my Senator to repeal the section of the Higher Education Act that denies student loans to people convicted of drug offenses.
This law perpetuates drug abuse by blocking access to education and economic opportunity.
Thank you very much, and I would appreciate hearing how my Senator takes action on this issue.
List of Senators
Alaska
Senator Lisa Murkowki
202-224-4654
Colorado
Senator Wayne Allard
202-224-5941
Connecticut
Senator Christopher Dodd
202-224-2823
Georgia
Senator Johnny Isakson
202-224-3643
Illinois
Senator Barack Obama
202-224-2854
Iowa
Senator Tom Harkin
202-224-3254
Kansas
Senator Pat Roberts
202-224-4774
Maryland
Senator Barbara Mikulski
202-224-4654
Massachusetts
Senator Ted Kennedy
202-224-4543
New Hampshire
Senator Judd Gregg
202-224-3324
New Mexico
Senator Jeff Bingaman
202-224-5521
New York
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
202-224-4451
North Carolina
Senator Richard Burr
202-224-3154
Ohio
Senator Sherrod Brown
202-224-2315
Oklahoma
Senator Tom Coburn
202-224-5754
Rhode Island
Jack Reed
202-224-4642
Tennessee
Senator Lamar Alexander
202-224-4944
Utah
Senator Orrin Hatch
202-224-5251
Vermont
Senator Bernard Sanders
202-224-5141
Washington
Senator Patty Murray
202-224-2621
Wyoming
Senator Michael Enzi
202-224-3424
Drug Provisions should NOT be in the Higher Education Act!More Information
In 1998 Congress amended the Higher Education Act (HEA) to deny financial aid to people convicted of state or federal drug offenses (in some cases temporarily, in other cases for life).
Since the law took effect in the fall of 2000, roughly 200,000 students have been denied aid. These young people, who have already been punished for their offenses, are now dropping out of school or reducing their course loads because they cannot afford the high cost of tuition.
Last year Congress limited the HEA Drug Provision to only those students convicted of a drug law offense while in college and receiving federal aid, ending the retroactive part of the law. Earlier this year the U.S House inserted a provision into legislation reauthorizing the Higher Education Act that would completely repeal the drug provision.
Senators on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee will be considering similar legislation early next week.
That legislation, however, doesn’t currently contain a repeal of the drug provision. There are negotiations behind the scenes to add it when the bill is taken up. Voters need to call their Senators on the Committee and urge them to add a full repeal of the HEA Drug Provision.
Thank you for all of your support!
Sincerely,
Bill Piper
Drug Policy Alliance
