The Consider Teachers Act is a legislation that has cleared all hurdles of the United States House of Representatives and the Senate and is now headed to the desk of the President of United States Joe Biden for signing. The act is “aimed at fixing a broken system burdening teachers with unfair loans”, according to the website of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton.

The legislation also aims to fix underlying issues with the TEACH Grant programme of the United States. The financial assistance scheme originally provided funds to students who served in otherwise neglected communities. 

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According to the Congresswoman’s website, “thousands of teachers have found their grants converted into loans that must be paid back with interest”. The new legislation aims to sweep in and accommodate the needs of those associated with the programme.

The Office of Management and Budget disclosed that more than half of the grants provided under the TEACH scheme are transformed into Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, which are required to be paid back with interest.

The Consider Teachers Act was introduced in the United States Senate by Senator Mike Braun, a member of the Republican party, and Senator Kyrsten Sinema (Arizona).

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In the House of Representatives, it was followed up by Congresswoman Victoria Spartz and Eleanor Holmes Norton. After getting a legislative nod from the Senate earlier this year, the House passed it this week. 

John Cornyn, a Senator and Republican from Texas, said, “The TEACH Grant program has done so much for Texas students in high-need areas, but it’s crucial that we make sure this program is implemented responsibly and efficiently”, according to the website of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. 

He added, “The Consider Teachers Act would streamline this grant process, ensuring that teachers will not be saddled with debt as a result of the bureaucratic inefficiencies in this program. I’m proud to join my colleagues in the Senate and House in shepherding this important bill through Congress.”