•     "When a borrower is trying to remove themselves from an abusive relationship, he or she can apply without the spouse's permission to have the loan separated. If the loan is separated, the bill would allow for the entire balance to be given to the other spouse. This creates the potential for further abuse of the very individuals we say we want to protect, as a potentially violent former spouse could easily take advantage of the system. I do believe there are better ways to accomplish this goal and Republicans are ready to work and help these individuals

address their needs in an expedient manner, but I don't think S. 1098 is that. We owe it to the victims of abuse to have a straightforward and efficient process to get help and we owe it to the

taxpayers to protect their tax dollars." Source: Rep. Michael Burgess (Republican, Texas, District 26)

•     "While I and many other Republicans support the intent of S. 1098, the Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Act, the legislation delays support for borrowers who need assistance immediately, cedes more control to the Education Secretary, and fails to protect taxpayers. For these reasons, Republicans hope to offer an amendment that will help borrowers who need to separate their loans urgently, whether it be because of divorce or abuse without creating a bureaucratic mess or expanding the federal government's foothold on student loans. Though one of the purported goals of S. 1098 is to help borrowers stuck in a joint consolidated loan with an abusive spouse, the bill in its current form could end up doing the opposite." Source: Rep. Virginia Foxx (Republican, North Carolina, District 5)