June 8 -- June 19

Statement

Dear Neighbors,

Last week I introduced the bipartisan Servicemember Student Loan Affordability Act with Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Senator Durbin in the Senate. This legislation would fix a provision in the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) of 1940 that unintentionally discourages members of the military from consolidating or refinancing pre-service student loans.

Under current SCRA provisions, Servicemembers' interest rates are capped at 6% on loans that they took out before entering active duty military service. However, if a Servicemember consolidates or refinances their student loans that new loan is no longer eligible for this protection, preventing them from taking advantage of both the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and the interest rate cap. With average student loan debt for active-duty Servicemembers at more than $25,000, this is a widespread issue for military families.

I was also proud to introduce five students from the 8th District who accepted their Military Service Academy appointments. The students will be attending the Air Force Academy, Naval Academy and West Point. If you or someone you know would like to apply to attend a Military Service Academy, you can contact my District Office at 847-413-1959.

On Thursday, I discussed the training of Syrian rebels at a House Armed Services Committee hearing with Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Martin Dempsey. We need to make sure we are asking the tough questions about our fight against ISIS and providing sufficient oversight.

Additionally, I spoke on the House floor calling for transparency in the defense budget. Our Servicemembers and their families deserve to know their future more than just one year at a time. As a nation, we need to base our military strategy on an appropriate long-term defense spending plan, not a budgeting gimmick.

Finally, My District office hosted Satellite Office Hours at the Addison Public Library this week. My staff enjoys meeting constituents at mutually convenient places -- like the library -- to talk through their federal questions and concerns. If you are interested in talking with my staff and cannot visit our office, please join us at our next Satellite Office Hours event on June 25th at the Elgin Farmer's Market at 200 N. Grove Avenue from 10:00 AM -- 2:00 PM.

I hope you are having a great week!

Sincerely,
Congresswoman Duckworth

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