Dems urge students to fight budget proposal

Washington's congressional Democrats hope the Jack Abramoff scandal will sour political support for a budget-bill provision that would slash student-aid funding.

Washington senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell joined University of Washington President Mark Emmert and U.S. representatives Jay Inslee and Jim McDermott Monday in a call for students to lobby lawmakers against the bill.

The bill, called the Deficit Reduction Act, would cut $12.7 billion from student aid over five years, in part by increasing interest rates that students and parents pay on college loans. A student graduating with a $20,000 debt would pay an extra $300 per year in interest.

The bill narrowly passed both the House and Senate late last year but, due to a technical maneuver, needs final approval from the House in a vote scheduled Feb. 1. That had been considered routine until recently.

"There's been a dramatic change in climate since before Christmas," said Inslee, of Bainbridge Island. "It's shifted people. Some majority-party members are thinking twice about this bill."

Inslee said the scandal surrounding lobbyist Abramoff, who pleaded guilty this month to fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to bribe public officials, has sharpened Americans' distrust of special-interest groups and heightened their desire to protect benefits enjoyed by average citizens — and that lawmakers are taking notice.

Washington Democrats, pointing to the six-vote margin with which the bill passed the House last time, suggested students lobby the state's three Republican House members, all of whom supported the bill.

"Don't just sit there and let it happen; get out there and fight," Murray said to several dozen students at a news conference held in the UW's student union building. Asked how she would find alternative ways to save money, Murray said Congress should reconsider proposed tax cuts linked to the budget bill.

But Jill Strait, spokeswoman for Rep. Cathy McMorris, R-Spokane, said McMorris won't be changing her vote.

"We are fairly confident it will pass again," Strait said of the bill. "I know we will be addressing lobbying reform when we come back. But I haven't heard of Abramoff affecting the Deficit Reduction Act."

In a December news release, McMorris said the proposed student-aid changes are misunderstood. By increasing the amount some students can borrow, the bill would help expand college access for low- and middle-income students, she said. And taxpayers would save because the bill would help eliminate waste and trim excess subsidies paid to lenders, she said.

Nick Perry: 206-515-5639 or nperry@seattletimes.com