Gordon Smith’s Motto: “We don’t need no education.”
Gordon Smith adds to college students’ fiscal burden.
As tens of thousands of Oregon public university students begin classes today, they have U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) to thank for their growing student debt.
In the last several years, Smith has repeatedly voted against increasing Pell Grant funding while also voting for tax cuts for the wealthy.
“At almost every opportunity, Gordon Smith votes to make it harder for Oregon students to afford higher education,” Kento Azegami said. “He is slamming the college doors shut for Oregon students. When it’s not election season, and he thinks nobody is watching, Smith votes time after time against student aid.”
Azegami, 21, is a freshman political science major at Portland State University and is president of the Oregon Federation of College Democrats.
Below are some of Smith’s votes. In every tally, Smith cancelled out U.S. Senator Ron Wyden’s (D-OR) vote.
SMITH’S VOTES:
Smith Has Voted At Least Seven Times Against Increasing Pell Grant Funding.
Since joining the Senate, Smith has voted at least seven times against increasing maximum Pell Grant awards to help students and families afford college.
[S. 1134, 3/2/00, #29; SCR 101, 4/7/00, #69; HR 1836, 5/22/01, #153 S Con Res 95, 3/11/04, #51; S Con Res 18, 3/17/05, #68; S Con Res 83, 3/14/06, #39; HR 3010, 10/25/05, #268]
Smith Voted For Tax Bill That Benefited Wealthy and Big Oil While Raising Taxes for 53,000 Oregon Students and Families.
In May 2006, Smith voted for the final version of the $70 billion tax reconciliation bill that removed a provision that had allowed 3.6 million students and families – including more than 53,000 in Oregon – to deduct $7.1 billion in college tuition costs in 2003. The tuition deduction was included in earlier versions of the bill but was stripped in the final version. While it excluded the tuition deduction, the final bill did protect a $5 billion windfall for big oil companies.
[Vote 118, 5/11/06; Senate Finance Committee, 11/7/05; Democratic Policy Committee, 9/26/06 New York Times, 5/5/06; Washington Post, 4/26/06]
Smith Voted Against Extending Expiring Tuition Tax Credit.
In November 2005, Smith voted against a $58 billion tax cut package that would have extended expiring tax cuts, including the college tuition deduction.
“For those who say they care about fiscal responsibility, for those who say they are concerned about the explosion of deficits and debt, here is a chance to prove it,” U.S. Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) said of his tax plan. “Here is a chance to vote for this amendment that will extend the tax provisions that are expiring this year for next year’s taxes, and to pay for it by closing abusive tax shelters.”
[Vote 330, 11/17/05; Conrad Press Release, 11/17/05]
Posted September 24, 2007 Education 0 comments
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