According to the Federal Reserve Board, Americans owe more than $1.5 trillion in student loan debt, an increase of over $100 billion since the end of 2017. Sixty-six percent of graduates from public colleges have student loans averaging $26,900 and 84% of graduates from for-profit colleges have student loans averaging $39,900.

During the hearing, I asked several questions pertaining to the 2005 change in law which exempted federal and private student loans from discharge and the impact any future change in law regarding discharges would have on the industry.

Crushing student loan debt is a huge issue for families in Colorado and across the country and it’s affecting home ownership, credit scores, and access to credit.

Higher education is a critical component of our ability to remain globally competitive, but we must do more to reduce the student loan debt burden, such as increasing the level of available Pell grants, reducing student loan interest rates, increasing the maximum tax deduction for interest paid on any qualified education loan, and student repayment programs.

If you have questions or need help with your student loans, my office may be able to help. Contact us at (303) 274-7944.

More than two months ago, the House passed the Save The Net Act to restore net neutrality protections, empower the FCC to stop abusive practices online, and promote competition and innovation. But the Senate has yet to take up this important piece of legislation.

It’s time to restore a free and open internet - it's time for the Senate to act.

This week we learned the President is willing to use the help of foreign governments to win a U.S. election. That’s not legal or right. We need to limit foreign interference in our elections, not invite more of it. It’s clear this administration will stop at nothing for their own political gain.

The questionable actions of this White House were called into question again by a federal watchdog’s recommendation to remove a top counselor to the President, Kellyanne Conway, for violating the Hatch Act. Last year, the same agency found six other Trump administration officials violated the same law by engaging in political activity in their official capacity. And earlier this month, evidence came to light showing the Trump administration added a citizenship question to the 2020 Census for political benefit. Now the administration is trying to hide related information by blocking Congress from obtaining documents pertaining to the citizenship question.

The level of obstruction and lawlessness coming from the White House is concerning, suspicious and will not be tolerated. That's why I cosponsored the resolution to authorize civil enforcement of the subpoenas against Attorney General Barr and former White House counsel Don McGahn for the full Mueller report and other important documents and testimony. The information subpoenaed is information Congress is constitutionally entitled to and which past Administrations have routinely provided. This resolution will streamline the process for going to court to seek the enforcement of subpoenas and enable Congress to hold the executive branch accountable and conduct its legislative, oversight and other constitutional responsibilities.

This week, the House started voting on appropriations bills to authorize spending for fiscal year 2020, beginning with appropriations bills for Labor-HHS-Education, Energy and Water Development, State-Foreign Operations and Defense. These bills include funding for key programs such as NIH and gun violence prevention research, workforce training, clean energy development, global health and education initiatives, and funding for active-duty and reserve military personnel, including a 3.1% pay raise.

There are 12 total appropriations bills the House will continue to take up over the next several weeks. Passing these bills will help avert a government shutdown and instead make meaningful investments in our country and to the benefit of hardworking families.

I always say “’Tis a privilege to represent the people of the 7th Congressional District and Colorado.” Here’s why:

In another amazing feat, the School of Mines has built a real-life Iron Man suit.

Coloradans, Lindsey Horan and Mallory Pugh, helped the U.S. Women's team break records in the opening game of the World Cup.

There are so many exciting things happening in the 7th District. Look for our next newsletter for more highlights in your neighborhood.