Study Abroad Bill Introduced in House

On March 12, 2007, Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA), the chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Ranking Member, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) announced the introduction of a bill, H.R. 1469, the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act of 2007, based on recommendations made by the Lincoln Commission.

According to Lantos: "This is an incredibly important bill that will democratize study abroad for American students in the way that the GI bill democratized higher education. Today, many American college students face financial and institutional impediments to study abroad. The Senator Paul Simon Act and the foundation it creates will tear down these barriers, and make foreign study a normal rather than an exceptional part of a college education."

"Expanding the number of American students who study abroad learning a second language and new culture advances our national interest," Ros-Lehtinen said. "Through this program, we are promoting a new generation of diplomats, intelligence analysts, and international businesspeople."