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H.R.6138 / 109th Congress

Third Higher Education Extension Act of 2006

Became Public Law No: 109-292.

Official summary

Version 82 · Passed Senate without amendment · Sep 30, 2006

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on September 27, 2006. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Third Higher Education Extension Act of 2006 - Amends the Higher Education Extension Act of 2005 to extend the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 through June 30, 2007.

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to bar trustees of institutions of higher education (IHEs), or of institution-affiliated organizations, from serving as eligible lenders under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program, unless the trusteeship continues pursuant to a contract entered into before the enactment of this Act. Imposes specified requirements on exempt lender-trustees and the IHEs or institution-affiliated organizations they serve. Subjects exempt lender-trustee loans to compliance audits.

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Alters the grant program for Hispanic-serving IHEs to: (1) move the time at which at least 25% of their full-time students must be Hispanic, from the time such IHEs apply for a new grant back to the end of the preceding grant year; (2) eliminate the requirement that at least 50% of their Hispanic students be poor; and (3) eliminate the two-year waiting period between grant applications.

Requires that account maintenance fees payable to guarantee agencies under the FFEL program be calculated on the basis of .10% of the original principal amount of such outstanding loans on which insurance was issued. (Currently, such fees are capped at such percentage.)

Directs the Secretary of Education to discharge or cancel the federal student loan indebtedness of spouses and parents of individuals who died (or die) or who became (or become) permanently and totally disabled from injuries suffered in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

States that, in the case of a consolidation loan used jointly by a victim of such attacks and his or her spouse, the discharge or cancellation shall apply only to that portion of debt incurred on behalf of the victim; except that, where the victim served as a police officer, firefighter, other safety or rescue personnel, or member of the Armed Forces, all of the debt on such loan shall be discharged or canceled.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Keller, Ric [R-FL-8] · R–FL

Committees

  • Education and Workforce Committee
2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Became Public Law No: 109-292.

  2. Became Public Law No: 109-292.

  3. Signed by President.

  4. Signed by President.

  5. Presented to President.

  6. Presented to President.

  7. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR 9/29/2006 S10770)

  9. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR 9/29/2006 S10770)

  10. Received in the Senate, read twice.

  11. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  12. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7605-7606)

  13. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7605-7606)

  14. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6138.

  15. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7605-7609)

  16. Mr. Keller moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  17. Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

  18. Introduced in House

  19. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.6138 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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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.6138 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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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.6138 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.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.6138 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.

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