LITTLE ROCK — Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor is wasting little time going after expected Republican rival Tom Cotton, criticizing the freshman congressman for voting against a measure aimed at lowering the costs of borrowing for college for millions of students.
Pryor's re-election campaign Thursday called Cotton's vote against the student loan measure a sign that the Republican is "far outside the mainstream." Cotton was one of six Republicans in the House who voted against the measure Wednesday.
The bill links student loan interest rates to the financial markets. The bill would offer lower rates for most students now but higher rates down the line if the economy improves as expected.
Cotton, who is expected to join the Senate race next week, defended his vote against the measure.
Reader poll
What was your reaction to U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton's 'no' vote on a bipartisan bill aimed at reducing the cost of borrowing for millions of students?
- He was wrong: Federally backed loans are needed, and the bill offers a fix for rising interest rates.
- He was right: Local banks are better suited to offer loans than the federal government, and this bill wasn't the best solution to help students pay for loans..
- It's surprising he opposed his party state’s other delegation members on this.
- At this point, it's expected his opinion will diverge from Arkansas' other representatives.
- Other (please contribute to comments section).
33 total votes.