Thirty-four days from what may be the biggest fight of her political career, four-term Sen. Mary Landrieu energized a crowd of young leaders Tuesday at Baton Rouge Community College.
Landrieu spoke on her “Passport to the Middle Class” initiative, a plan to increase the maximum award of the Pell Grant and lower interest rates on student loans.
Pell Grants are provided by the government to students who need aid to pay for college, according to the College Board’s website. Pell Grants, unlike loans, do not have to be repaid.
Landrieu’s legislation would increase the Pell Grant maximum amount from $5,730 to $8,900.
“We think it’s the right investment to the country,” Landrieu said.
The second bill would decrease the federal student loan interest rate from 6 percent to 3.6 percent.
Landrieu said the lowered interest rate would equate to $8,000 of savings per student.
“Over 600,000 adults in Louisiana have an outstanding student loan,” Landrieu said. “Wouldn’t it be better to invest that money in a home or business?”
Before Landrieu’s speech, computer science senior Michael Dyson testified to the tough economic climate college students face in 2014.
Dyson said he works 40 hours a week and is enrolled in 18 hours.
“I didn’t really realize going into college that it was going to be such a burden on me,” Dyson said. “I had to take out student loans for the first time this year.”
Landrieu criticized Gov. Bobby Jindal’s previous higher education budget cuts and warned if Rep. Bill Cassidy, a Republican, is elected to her office in November, he would continue education cuts to the state.
Cassidy has yet to endorse Landrieu’s initiative.
“I think you all should know … Bill Cassidy has been silent,” Landrieu said.
Landrieu also used her time with the engaged millenials to corral support around her campaign.
“This election matters,” Landrieu said. “I need you all to get on Facebook and Twitter and tweet these things out.”
After her remarks, Landrieu fielded questions from students on current events like America’s response to the Islamic State group.
Landrieu said she agreed with President Barack Obama’s order for airstrikes but stressed the need to build multi-national coalitions before becoming involved in foreign combat.
“We can’t do all these things alone,” Landrieu said.
Landrieu also responded to a question about the current political polarization of Congress, saying it was the result of poorly drawn congressional districts across the country.
“There’s no easy answer to that,” Landrieu said. “There’s so few districts in the country that are drawn 50-50.”
The issue of party affiliation rang with special resonance for Landrieu on Tuesday.
Just hours before her speech, Gallup Politics released a poll saying more Louisianans identify themselves as Democratic than Republican for the first time in three years.
Landrieu, who repeatedly referred to herself as a “centrist” and “pragmatist,” said she thought voters would judge her and other Senate candidates not by their party affiliation, but by their record of public service.