Affordable College Education Act of 2006

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 1, 2006

Affordable College Education Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the tax deduction for higher education expenses by: (1) increasing the types of higher education expenses eligible for the deduction (2) eliminating the dollar limitations on the deduction; and (3) making the deduction permanent.

Increases from $50,000 to $350,000 the modified adjusted gross income ceiling used to calculate the phaseout of the tax deduction for interest on education loans. Adjusts such ceiling for inflation after 2006.

Makes the sunset provision (i.e., termination date of December 31, 2010) under the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 inapplicable to: (1) the elimination of certain limitations on the tax deduction for interest on education loans; and (2) the tax deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-16] · D–CA

Committees

Ways and Means Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Mar 1, 2006
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Mar 1, 2006
Introduced in House
Mar 1, 2006
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Mar 1, 2006 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 15, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4837 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.4837, 109th Congress: Affordable College Education Act of 2006

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/4837

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2006-03-01.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr4837/BILLS-109hr4837ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T17:57:38Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.4837 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4837 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.4837, 109th Congress: Affordable College Education Act of 2006

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/4837

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2006-03-01.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr4837/BILLS-109hr4837ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T17:57:38Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4837 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4837 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4837, 109th Congress: Affordable College Education Act of 2006

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/4837

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2006-03-01.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr4837/BILLS-109hr4837ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T17:57:38Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4837 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4837 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4837, 109th Congress: Affordable College Education Act of 2006

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/4837

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2006-03-01.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr4837/BILLS-109hr4837ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T17:57:38Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4837 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.