Congressman Randy Kuhl NY-29: Unfit to Represent our Nation's Youth

Tomorrow, students will be proudly showing up to vote on Election Day in the largest numbers this country has seen in decades. College Students want leadership and change and Congressman Randy Kuhl from the NY-29 has not represented our nation's youth during his time in office.

Congressman Kuhl has repeatedly voted against increases to student aid that would make the cost of college tuition more affordable and less of a burden on families. Kuhl voted "No" to the College Access and Opportunity Act of 2005 [HR 609] that would have reduced student loan interest rate from 6.8% to 3.4% (Section 8). In voting No, to HR 609, Kuhl opposed a $59 million increase in grants for low income students to help afford the cost of graduate school education (Project Vote Smart).

Randy Kuhl has represented the special lobbyists in his district quite well over his two terms in office by giving tax breaks to big oil, but when it comes to helping our future generation, Kuhl has opposed student interests. He stood with his Republican colleagues in the House in voting "No" to the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 [H R 2669]. The bill would successfully pass the House by a vote of 273- 149 and through the Senate by a vote of 78-18.

This important student aid bill allows for increases in the Pell grant by at least $500 per year over the next 5 years, until a maximum scholarship of $5,200 is reached. The bill will increase student aid by roughly $18 billion over the next 5 years [HR 2669, Vote 326, 9/7/07; House Committee on Education and Labor, September, 2007].

"Eric Massa is exactly what young people in the NY-29 need for a better future. He is willing to stand up for ordinary citizens and vote for policies that benefit students," said Daniel Levin, President of the College Democrats of NY.

Congressman Kuhl has rubber stamped President Bush's policies 87.9% of the time while in office [Washington Post Voting Record Database].

"Eric Massa has made sure to speak with young voters in his district by coming to college campuses and talking about the issues that matter most to students," said Ryan McPherson, Finger Lakes Regional Director for the College Democrats of NY.