Both the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee are hitting the issue as a July 1 deadline for Congress to avoid doubling federal student loans rapidly approaches. The moves are a sign the party will focus in on the fight in the next few weeks, seeking to further drive a wedge between the GOP and young voters.
The DCCC is launching a paid Twitter campaign against 28 House members following an ad campaign in student newspapers accusing them of wanting to double student loan rates.
{mosads}”No one in America is surprised that House Republicans keep siding with the wealthy and special corporate interests instead of students who want an affordable education, but increasing college loan costs is wrong beyond belief,” said DCCC spokeswoman Emily Bittner. “House Republicans refuse to wake up and stand with hardworking Americans, and this student loan fight demonstrates yet again that their priorities are out of touch. We encourage college students to make that simple point and tweet to their Member of Congress: #DontDoubleMyRate.”
The DSCC is making a similar charge, attacking nine congressmen who’ve announced Senate bids or are considering runs. The targets include GOP Reps. Paul Broun (Ga.), Phil Gingrey (Ga.), Jack Kingston (Ga.), Tom Cotton (Ark.), Bill Cassidy (La.), Renee Ellmers (N.C.), Justin Amash (Mich.), Steve Daines (Mont.) and Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.).
“It’s stunning that Phil Gingrey, Jack Kingston and Paul Broun continue to side against Georgia’s students and middle class families,” said DSCC spokesman Justin Barasky one version of the release. “Broun, Kingston and Gingrey are choosing to make college more expensive for students and put an extra burden on Georgia families and are once again siding with their fellow extreme House Republican colleagues.”