Obama's AAPI Heritage Month proclamation

                         THE WHITE HOUSE
                  Office of the Press Secretary

ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH, 2016
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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

     Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) are the
fastest growing racial group in our country, growing over
4 times as rapidly as the population of the United States.
As one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse groups
in America, the AAPI community reminds us that though we all
have distinct backgrounds and origins, we are bound in common
purpose by our shared hopes and dreams for ourselves and our
children.  Our Nation's story would be incomplete without the
voices of countless Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and
Pacific Islanders who have called the land we all love home.
This month, we honor the irreplaceable roles they have played in
our past, and we recommit to ensuring opportunities exist for
generations of AAPIs to come.

     The AAPI community's long and deeply-rooted legacy in
the United States reminds us of both proud and painful
chapters of our history.  Confronted with grueling and perilous
working conditions, thousands of Chinese laborers on the
transcontinental railroad pushed the wheels of progress forward
in the West.  Japanese American troops fought for freedom from
tyranny abroad in World War II while their families here at home
were interned simply on the basis of their origin.  And many
South Asian Americans in particular face discrimination,
harassment, and senseless violence often in the communities in
which they live and work.

     Today, AAPIs lend their rich heritage to enhancing our
communities and our culture.  As artists and activists,
educators and elected officials, service men and women and
business owners, AAPIs help drive our country forward.  Yet
despite hard-won achievements, AAPIs continue to face obstacles
to realizing their full potential.  One in three AAPIs does

not speak English fluently, and certain subgroups experience
low levels of educational attainment and high levels of
unemployment.  AAPIs also often experience heightened health
risks, and millions of AAPI men, women, and children in the
United States live in poverty.

     My Administration is committed to supporting and investing
in AAPI communities.  Thanks to the Affordable Care Act,
20 million uninsured adults have gained health insurance
coverage, including 2 million AAPIs.  Among Asian Americans
under the age of 65, the uninsured rate has declined by
55 percent since 2013.  Last year, we brought together thousands
of AAPI artists; advocates; and business, community, and Federal

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leaders from across America for the first-ever White House
Summit on AAPIs to discuss the key issues facing their
communities.  The Summit was hosted by the White House
Initiative on AAPIs, which I reestablished during my first year
in office and is housed within the Department of Education.

We are working with Federal agencies to build stronger and more robust regional networks across our country that improve access to Federal resources and expand opportunities. We have worked to protect civil rights, foster educational equity, and create economic opportunity across our country. Because a lack of detailed data perpetuates the false notion of AAPIs as a model minority, we are working across Government to improve data collection to counter existing stereotypes and to shed light on the realities faced and resources needed by the AAPI community. Through the White House Task Force on New Americans, Federal agencies are working with cities and counties around America to build welcoming communities that allow immigrants and refugees to thrive. And we will continue working to allow more high- skilled immigrants to stay in our country -- too many talented AAPIs are held back from fully realizing our country's promise, and too many have suffered the consequences of our Nation's broken immigration system.

     Peoples of diverse backgrounds and circumstances have long
come to our country with the faith that they could build a
better life in America, and spanning generations, the story of
AAPIs in the United States embodies this promise.  During Asian
American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, let us celebrate
the many contributions our AAPI brothers and sisters have made
to the American mosaic, and let us renew our commitment to
creating more opportunities for AAPI youth as they grow up and
embrace the hard work of active citizenship, adding their unique
voices and experiences to our Nation's narrative.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested
in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States,
do hereby proclaim May 2016 as Asian American and Pacific
Islander Heritage Month.  I call upon all Americans to visit
www.WhiteHouse.gov/AAPI to learn more about our efforts on
behalf of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific
Islanders, and to observe this month with appropriate programs
and activities.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord
two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and fortieth.

BARACK OBAMA
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CAPAC Members React to New DOJ Rules for Espionage Cases

CAPAC Members React to New DOJ Rules for Espionage Cases

Washington, D.C. – The New York Times reported yesterday that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued new rules to require an extra level of oversight when investigating cases of espionage.  These new rules come after several high-profile cases in which Chinese American scientists – including Sherry Chen and Dr. Xiaoxing Xi – were wrongfully accused and arrested for alleged espionage only to have those charges later dropped. In November 2015, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) and Reps. Ted Lieu (CA-33) and Michael Honda (CA-17), along with 39 other Members of Congress, sent a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch calling for an independent investigation into these cases. A second letter was sent later that month to Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker requesting a fair and judicious review of Ms. Sherry Chen’s case. CAPAC Members also met with Attorney General Lynch to raise their concerns over what appears to be an ongoing pattern and practice of Asian Americans being singled out by federal law enforcement and prosecutors.  Reps. Chu, Honda, and Lieu, released the following statements:

                                                                                     

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

“Wrongful accusations of espionage should not be a pattern of practice in our country. The cases of Sherry Chen and Dr. Xiaoxing Xi are appalling. Two prominent scientists, who are U.S. citizens, were publicly humiliated and had their lives turned upside down simply because they were emailing while being Chinese American. Their charges were dropped, but only after their reputations were shattered. Further, their arrests sent a chilling message to other Asian American scientists that they, too, could be next. That is why I welcome the new rules by the Department of Justice as a positive first step in the right direction. These extra levels of scrutiny are clearly necessary to avert other false charges against American citizens. The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus will remain vigilant to prevent such wrongful accusations in the future, and we will seek justice for those who are already victims.”

Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17), CAPAC Chair Emeritus:

“For too long, Americans have been accused of espionage by our government on the basis of their heritage, not any finding of fact,” said Honda. “Today, the Justice Department took a good first step to making certain that never happens again. However, too many have still been hurt by these cases in the past. Along with my colleagues, it is critical for us to make certain that the Department of Justice appoints an independent panel to investigate these potential miscarriages of justice."

Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-33):

“I am pleased that the Department of Justice has heard the calls of Members of Congress and implemented a policy change to provide critical oversight for national security cases. The pattern of wrongfully arresting and indicting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders on flimsy espionage allegations has painted a concerning picture of targeting based on race and national origin, and it is clear that these cases need to be handled differently. I thank Attorney General Lynch for taking action and look forward to being briefed on the changes by the Department of Justice to evaluate whether further steps are needed.”

Background:

Rep. Michael Honda, in his role as the Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee, advocated for a change in the behavior of the Justice Department when questioning Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Comey earlier this year about the two accused scientists. Rep. Judy Chu, in her role as a Member of the Judiciary Committee, also questioned FBI Director Comey and Attorney General Loretta Lynch on these matters.

WYETH AND PFIZER AGREE TO PAY $784.6 MILLION TO RESOLVE LAWSUIT

WYETH AND PFIZER AGREE TO PAY $784.6 MILLION TO RESOLVE LAWSUIT ALLEGING THAT

WYETH UNDERPAID DRUG REBATES TO MEDICAID

BOSTON – United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz announced today that drug companies Wyeth and Pfizer, Inc., have agreed to pay $784.6 million to resolve allegations that Wyeth failed to give the government the same discounts it provided to private purchasers of its drugs, as required by the Medicaid program.

“This significant settlement illustrates that the government will not permit drug companies to dodge their obligations to the Medicaid program or create elaborate pricing schemes to deceive Medicaid into paying more than it should for drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Ortiz.  “This settlement, after years of hard-fought litigation, shows our commitment to ensuring that healthcare businesses do not take advantage of the federal health insurance programs which serve those who need assistance most.”

“This settlement demonstrates our unwavering commitment to hold pharmaceutical companies responsible for pursuing pricing schemes that attempt to manipulate and overcharge federal health care programs – programs that protect the poor and disabled – for drugs sold to commercial customers at much lower prices,” said Principal Deputy Attorney General Benjamin Mizer, head of the Civil Division for the Department of Justice.

“When we make agreements with others we expect follow-through,” said Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge with the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  “Similarly, taxpayers rightly expect large pharmaceutical companies will not falsely report prices to boost profits.  Any drug company shirking those responsibilities can expect to be held accountable for its deception.”   

According to the government’s complaint, Wyeth gave thousands of hospitals deep discounts on two of its proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs, Protonix Oral and Protonix IV, but failed to report those discounts to Medicaid.  The government alleged that Wyeth “bundled” discounts on Protonix Oral with discounts on Protonix IV in order to induce hospitals to use Protonix Oral, which hospitals otherwise would have had little incentive to use because other pre-existing oral PPI drugs were priced competitively and were considered to be at least as effective and safe.  Wyeth wanted to control the hospital market because patients discharged from the hospital on Protonix Oral were likely to stay on the drug for long periods of time, during which payers, including Medicaid, would pay nearly full price for the drug.

Under the Medicaid program, which is the nation’s provider of health insurance to the poor and disabled, drug companies must report to the government the best prices they offer other customers for their brand name drugs.  Based on these reported best prices, the drug companies pay rebates to the state Medicaid programs so that Medicaid receives the same discounts that drug companies offer to other large customers in the marketplace.

The government alleged that Wyeth hid from Medicaid the bundled discounts it gave to hospitals on Protonix Oral and Protonix IV.  As a result, Wyeth wrongfully avoided paying hundreds of millions of dollars in rebates to Medicaid from 2001 to 2006.

Under the terms of today’s settlement, Wyeth will pay $413,248,820 to the federal government and $371,351,180 to state Medicaid programs.  The settlement resolves allegations filed by two whistleblowers, Lauren Kieff and William St. John LaCorte.  See United States ex rel. Kieff and LaCorte v. Wyeth and Pfizer, Inc., Nos. 03-12366 and 06-11724-DPW (D. Mass.).  The False Claims Act permits private parties to sue on behalf of the government for false claims for government funds and to receive a share of any recovery.  Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the federal and state governments will pay a combined relator share of $98,058,190. 

As part of the settlement, Wyeth and Pfizer do not deny the government’s allegations.  Pfizer, which is headquartered in New York City, acquired Wyeth in 2009.  The conduct at issue occurred prior to the acquisition.

            This settlement is part of the government’s ongoing initiative to combat health care fraud, and specifically to reduce and prevent Medicare and Medicaid fraud.  One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act.  Since the beginning of the 2016 fiscal year, the District of Massachusetts has recovered over $1 billion in health care fraud settlements on behalf of American taxpayers, and simultaneously has secured the payment of over $150 million to whistleblowers who initiated these matters.  For more information, see Warner Chilcott, Millennium Health, RehabCare, Coloplast Corp., and Boston Medical Center.

           

            This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  It was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregg Shapiro, Brian Pérez-Daple, and Kriss Basil of Ortiz’s Office and Justice Department Trial Attorneys Sanjay Bhambhani, Andy Mao, Zoila Hinson, and Christopher Terranova of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch.

中華頤養院營養早餐會談老年人才知道的健康快樂秘密

We had a great workshop style meeting again, about 40 seniors showed up and participated this morning. We are so happy to have Dr. Chuang from South Cove Manor. Dr. Zhuang is board-Certified Family Physician graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and Brown Medical School.

The workshop topic today was Young people wouldn't know: the secret to health and happiness that Only the Elders Know.

Dr. Chuang opened the seminar with introduction of this topic. He asked the audience how many people have helped others or shared their stories with others. Almost all of them raised their hands, one senior said he gave someone directions.

Dr. Chuang explained the reason of why he asked these questions:

When we help others, we have something that the other party does not have at the moment. It can be knowledge, time, energy, health, money, etc. The act of helping reminds us what we have. At the same time, we may make others better. That's a great way to make ourselves happy. Besides, seniors can share their unique experience and stories with others, express oneself also makes one happier

Here are his suggested activities :

• Call or visit friends or family who are not doing well.
• Volunteer.
• Donate time, money or goods to charity
• Offer assistance to your co-workers when they are behind.
• Talk to someone you trust
• Write in a journal. White a letter to an imaginary friend.
• Create a piece of art.
• Sing a song or play a piece of music.

To combine those, seniors can pass along knowledge and experience to younger generations. This process can allow older and younger generations to stay connected. It also provides an opportunity to tell one’s story.

On the activity that we did today, Dr. Chuang posted questions to the audience to discuss about what they have learned so far from their own life and from observation of others’ successes and mistakes.

1. Advise about successful nurturing relationship like marriage or life-long partnership/friendship?

They think life-long marriage became best friendship after years of development.

2. Secret about raising children?

One senior commented that generation gap is big issue as many of their children grown up in the US.  She experienced relationship gap between her kids and  herself. She felt especially frustrated when her kids don’t listen to her advise.

Dr.Chuang recommend she should spend more time with her kids and guide them through the process, instead of tell them directly what to do.

3. Advice about finding fulfilling work? How to success at work? 

Do things that they are passion at the most. Many of them think money is less important at their stage of life, they can find something new to try out or volunteer. Dr. Chuang advised even if they are working on something that does not completely fit with their desire career, try to learn as much as they can.

4. Advice about growing older? Any lesson about staying in good health?

Answers from the audience like: less stubborn attitude, stay positive and connected with younger generation, share life stories, exercises.

To sum up, Dr. Chuang agreed those are very valuable advise from the audience. He advised that they can try to write down those experience, even a book! Or be friend someone younger in your family, in your neighborhood, or in any social circle.

Our next breakfast seminar located will be moved to our new SCM AHI location at BECE auditorium, 120 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118, on May 26th, 2016 at 9:30am.

Military Hazing Amendment to NDAA Adopted By Armed Services Committee

Military Hazing Amendment to NDAA Adopted By Armed Services Committee

Washington, D.C. – On April 27, during markup of the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the House Armed Services Committee adopted an amendment requiring the Department of Defense (DOD) to create a national database of hazing incidents in the military and to submit an annual report on the DOD’s actions to stop hazing through training and response. The amendment, introduced by Rep. Jackie Speier (CA-14), is identical to the text of H.R. 5060, the Harry Lew Military Hazing Accountability and Prevention Act that was introduced by Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) on April 26. The Harry Lew Military Hazing Accountability and Prevention Act is named in honor of Rep. Chu’s nephew, a marine who died after being hazed by his platoon while deployed in Afghanistan in 2011. The legislation adopts the recommendations from a report issued by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which showed that the DOD lacks consistent data on military hazing incidents, and that servicemembers across branches are in need of better training to combat hazing. Rep. Chu released the following statement:

“The House Armed Services Committee recognized the seriousness of hazing and rightfully included this critical amendment. I want to thank my colleague Rep. Jackie Speier for her role in securing this bill language during the markup. The changes proposed by the amendment will protect servicemembers who courageously serve our country by making it clear that hazing has no place in our military. Requiring DOD to create a database of hazing incidents and submit an annual report will bring much needed transparency and help Congress ensure accountability. The inclusion of this amendment in the defense authorization bill will help save lives, support our troops, and ensure a stronger military.”

The text of the Harry Lew Military Hazing Accountability Act can be found here.

The report by the Government Accountability Office titled “Actions Needed to Increase Oversight and Management Information on Hazing Incidents Involving Servicemembers,” can be found here.

BACKGROUND

In 2011, Rep. Chu’s nephew, Lance Corporal Harry Lew, committed suicide while stationed in Afghanistan after extreme and prolonged hazing by his fellow Marines. Since his death, Rep. Chu has fought to eradicate hazing in the military. During the 112^th Congress, Rep. Chu introduced the Harry Lew Military Hazing Accountability and Prevention Act, which would require DOD to develop a comprehensive plan to address hazing within the ranks. In the FY2013 NDAA, Rep. Chu secured language that required reports from each branch of the military to report on hazing policies and incident data to Congress. Finding that these results were inconsistent and indicated substandard tracking results in unreliable data, Rep. Chu successfully amended the FY 2015 NDAA to require GAO to provide an objective analysis about the current status of hazing in the military. In March 2016, Rep. Chu testified before the House Armed Services Committee to urge the adoption of the GAO’s recommendations in the FY 2017 NDAA.

Social Security Combats Homelessness and Helps Veterans Access Benefits

Social Security Combats Homelessness and Helps Veterans

Access Benefits

Carolyn W. Colvin, the Acting Commissioner of Social Security, and other leaders in the fight to end homelessness gathered today to continue the ongoing battle against homelessness among veterans, seniors, and other vulnerable populations.

“Social Security plays a key role in reducing homelessness, and our benefit payments help people to secure and maintain stable housing,” Acting Commissioner Colvin said.  “Social Security is the most successful anti-poverty program in our country’s history and collaborates with other federal, state and local agencies to ensure that veterans, people who are disabled, have lost a loved one, or are retiring have access to our benefits and services.”

Acting Commissioner Colvin joined with federal and state officials to discuss initiatives to end homelessness and outreach programs to vulnerable populations, including veterans, at a forum called “Ending Homelessness: Lessons Learned from the Commonwealth of Virginia.”  Representatives from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, and the Virginia Housing Alliance participated in the discussion.

In 2015, Virginia announced that it had ended homelessness among veterans.  Many federal and state agencies are looking to replicate best practices from Virginia’s success in their respective states.  

Social Security has collaborated with other federal agencies to develop key strategies for connecting veterans and other individuals experiencing homelessness to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits. Through partnerships across the country with the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) initiative, the agency receives more complete disability applications.  They have a higher rate of approval on the initial application because someone is helping the applicant, especially homeless people who have difficulty documenting their cases and getting their medical records.  SOAR is a national project, funded by the SAMHSA, designed to increase access to SSI and SSDI for eligible adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and have a mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder.  The SOAR project provides training on how to complete the SSI/SSDI application to service providers working with individuals experiencing homelessness.

Veterans are at an increased risk of both homelessness and disability.  Social Security offers several initiatives to accelerate processing disability benefit claims from veterans.

Since 2005, the agency has provided expedited processing of disability applications for wounded warriors who have suffered an injury or illness while serving on active duty after October 1, 2001.

Beginning in 2014, disability applications for those with a Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation rating of 100% receive expedited processing for Social Security disability benefits.  Social Security worked with the VA to set up a data exchange to identify these veterans when they first apply for Social Security or SSI benefits. The agency is proud to support President Obama’s efforts to take care of veterans who have sacrificed so much.

For more information about wounded warriors and veterans who have a compensation rating of 100%, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/veterans.

For additional information about the SOAR project and initiatives to help people experiencing homelessness, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/homelessness

Tammy Duckworth and Congressional Leaders Introduce Comprehensive College Affordability Legislation

Tammy Duckworth and Congressional Leaders Introduce Comprehensive College Affordability Legislation

Fully-paid for In the Red Act strengthens Pell Grants, invests in community college, and enables more Americans to refinance their student debt at lower interest rates

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-08) today introduced a comprehensive package of fully paid-for reforms to make college more affordable for all Americans. The Congresswoman’s In the Red Act would help put our nation on a path toward debt-free college, increase the maximum Pell Grant to keep pace with skyrocketing costs, invest in our country’s community colleges, enable borrowers to refinance student debt at lower interest rates and increase accountability among colleges and universities to ensure students are receiving high-value degrees and credentials. Duckworth’s proposal is cosponsored by House Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03), Subcommittee on Higher Education Ranking Member Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) and Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02).

“I put myself through college with student loans, Pell Grants, and a heck of a lot of waitressing,” saidCongresswoman Duckworth. “And I’m still paying off my student loans today—so I know how tough paying for school can be. But every day, an affordable education is growing further and further out of reach for middle-class families, limiting young Americans’ prospects for the future and threatening both our economic growth and global competitiveness. Our In the Red Act will make the common-sense reforms we need to make college more affordable—which should be one of our top priorities in this nation.”

“Higher education should be a path to prosperity, not a path into suffocating debt. But unfortunately, college costs and student loan debt are holding back an entire generation and creating a drag on economic growth for our country,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin. “The idea that the next generation will be able to go further and do better than the last one is the heart of the American dream. That is why I will fight for the commonsense solutions offered in the In The Red Act.”

Not only would the In the Red Act help reduce rising costs and make higher education more affordable, but those benefits would come at no cost to taxpayers. The legislation, which was introduced by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) in the Senate, is paid for by closing tax loopholes that only benefit special interests at the expense of everyday taxpayers. More information about these loopholes is available here.

“I have always believed that expanding accessibility and affordability in higher education transforms lives, increases America’s global competitiveness, and gives millions of Americans an opportunity to enter the middle class,” said Congressman Hinojosa. “However, today, too many Americans are struggling to access a college education due to rising college costs and inordinate amounts of student loan debt. As Ranking Member on the Higher Education and Workforce Training Subcommittee, I am proud to serve as an original cosponsor of the In the Red Act. This Act will put our nation on a path to debt-free college, strengthen Pell grants, enable more Americans to refinance their student loans at lower interest rates and increase accountability in higher education.”

“I am pleased to support Rep. Tammy Duckworth’s introduction of the In the Red Act, which will go a long way toward helping relieve the burden of college debt for America’s middle-class,” saidCongressman Courtney. “We know that individuals with college degrees will earn substantially more than those without a degree throughout their lifetime, but the costs associated with getting that degree have put a college education out of reach for many young Americans. Rep. Duckworth’s comprehensive approach to making college more affordable, which includes my student loan bill, the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act, will help make college once again attainable for millions of Americans.  I am proud to join Rep. Duckworth as an original cosponsor of her bill, and I intend to encourage my colleagues to support this critical piece of legislation.”

The comprehensive In the Red Act includes the following provisions to make college more affordable and help put us on the path to debt-free college:

Allow Borrowers to Refinance Student Loans at Lower Rates

The In The Red Act will allow student loan borrowers to refinance their outstanding student debt at lower interest rates, saving more than 24 million student loan borrowers billions of dollars in interest—roughly $1,896 each. The In The Red Act incorporates Congressman Joe Courtney’s Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act and would allow students to refinance their student loans and take advantage of lower interest rates — the same way people refinance a mortgage, a car loan or business debt. This reform would give student loan borrowers the ability to refinance their debt at the same low rates offered to new borrowers in the student loan program in the 2013-2014 school year.

Strengthen Pell Grants to Keep Pace with Rising Costs

The In The Red Act will adjust Pell Grants for inflation, so they keep pace with rising costs and don’t continue losing value. This provision authored by the Higher Education Subcommittee Ranking Member Rubén Hinojosa would give 9.2 million students an additional $1,300 in grant funding to pay for college costs and prevent the purchasing power of Pell Grants from eroding and pushing higher education further out of reach for Pell Grant recipients.

Make A New Investment in Community College

By creating a new federal-state partnership to make two-year community colleges tuition-free, the In The Red Act provides a more affordable opportunity for students to gain the skills they need to succeed. This investment would help students earn an degree or learn other skills needed for their chosen careers without also being burdened by significant student debt. Through the inclusion of Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Bobby Scott’s America’s College Promise Act, the In The Red Act could save full-time community college students almost $4,000 in tuition each year.

Ensure Colleges Provide Students with High-Quality Degrees

The In The Red Act would help increase accountability for higher education institutions and create strong incentives that help protect students and ensure they are able to graduate with high-value degrees and credentials. States would need to take a number of steps including providing high-quality academic and occupational training programs and adopting institutional reforms and innovative practices that improve outcomes for students.

Close Special Interest Loopholes to Make College More Affordable

The In The Red Act would put this country on a fiscally-responsible path to debt-free college by closing tax loopholes that benefit special interests in order to pay for the legislation’s reforms. The In The Red Act includesCongressman Lloyd Doggett’s Stop Subsidizing Multimillion Dollar Corporate Bonuses Act to close a major loophole in current corporate tax law by preventing unlimited tax write-offs for performance-based executive pay. The legislation would also close the carried interest tax loophole for hedge fund managers, enact the “Buffett Rule” to ensure millionaires pay their fair share, close the stock options loophole, and incorporateWays and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin’s Stop Corporate Inversions Act to prevent American companies from evading U.S. taxes.

Additional information about these college affordability reforms is available here.