WASHINGTON, July 10 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement today after a filibuster by Senate Republicans blocked consideration of a bill to restore student loan interest rates that doubled on July 1:

“I have heard from more than 700 Vermonters and people around the country that college costs too much and interest rates on student loans are too high.  That is the clear message coming from students, graduates and parents struggling to repay crushing loans to cover unaffordable college costs.  Plans for careers and families have been put on hold. The economy is being hurt. But Senate Republicans today blocked the same simple, straightforward solution that Congress approved just last year. While today’s vote was disappointing, we must continue working to find a short-term solution to keep interest rates down while developing a long-term solution to make college more affordable for working families.”