Senate limits use of student aid

By Chris Casteel

Published: July 25, 2007

WASHINGTON — The Senate unanimously approved an amendment by Sen. Tom Coburn on Tuesday that would require colleges and universities to certify each year that they are not using federal grant money or student aid to pay lobbyists.

"Current law only prohibits direct federal funds from being used to lobby but allows schools to spend tuition assistance for needy students to be spent to hire lobbyists,” Coburn said. "Students struggling to pay for housing and tuition may not be able to afford a tutor, much less a lobbyist. These students should not be forced to pay higher tuition so their school can hire Washington lobbyists.”

Coburn said the $127 million spent by colleges and universities in 2005 and 2006 on Washington lobbyists "could have paid the full tuition of 21,760 students.”

Many universities hire lobbyists to help them secure federal earmarks for research grants or campus projects.

According to Senate records, Oklahoma State University paid $280,000 last year to The National Group to lobby Congress on various appropriations bills.

The records also show the University of Oklahoma paid a total of $180,000 to four firms to lobby on spending bills: The Scott Group, $60,000; Suzie Brewster and Associates, $20,000; Chwat and Company, $80,000; and Collier Shannon Scott, $20,000.

Coburn's amendment was made to a Senate bill passed Tuesday dealing with student financial aid.

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