Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., discussed his stance on a bill that would divert $12.7 billion from federal student-loan programs with ASU students and faculty during a visit to the Polytechnic campus last Thursday.
Flake said he supported the Budget Reconciliation bill, which directs funds to federal deficit reduction. Flake said the bill's goal is to reduce the deficit $50 billion over five years. It is scheduled to be voted on today.
"It's the first real attempt we've had to actually reduce spending in a long time. It's important that we do so. It amounts to $50 billion now, but I believe it ought to be a lot higher," Flake said. "We ought to do 2-percent, 5-percent spending reductions across the board. That would be more appropriate given the deficit that we have. But this is a start."
The hot topic was brought up among other topics such as hurricane relief efforts and bilingual language programs during a question-and-answer session.
Flake has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2001 and represents Arizona's 6th District. Flake has backed Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., in supporting bills to increase legal immigration and establish a guest worker program. Flake also voted against the Homeland Security and No Child Left Behind acts.
"No Child Left Behind increased the role of the federal government in education. I think that's a mistake," he said. "I think the federal government is too involved in local public education. We tend to mandate and stipulate things on testing and what not, but that costs the local governments a lot more than the funding we give them.
"I think if the federal government pulled back and said, 'We don't have the answer to everything, let's let those who do govern public education,' we would all be better off."
Stu Hadley, assistant vice president for policy affairs and executive director of federal relations at ASU, said he thought the congressman's visit was important.
"It is very important that there be an ongoing dialogue between ASU Polytechnic and the institution's congressional representative. In this particular case, Congressman Flake's visit to campus served multiple purposes," Hadley said. "It allowed the opportunity for ASU officials to urge action on several federal issues that are specifically important to the ASU Polytechnic campus. It allowed our students, faculty and staff who do not run into their congressman everyday the opportunity to express their personal concerns about a large number of topics, and to hear the congressman's response to those concerns.
"[It also] allowed ASU to be able to thank the congressman publicly for his efforts in D.C. on our behalf," Hadley added.
Flake said he believes one of his latest achievements is the elevated discussion on congressional "earmarks" and "pork-barrel projects," to the point where reform will soon take place.
"That's been a long road," Flake said. "It's been pretty lonely, frankly, talking about it when nobody seemed to care. And now, a lot of people are paying attention."
Flake is finishing up his third term, and planning to run for a fourth.
