Skip to main content

Boehner names GOP members, while Democrats consider whether to take part

By WTOP Staff

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker John Boehner (BAY’-nur) is putting together the special committee that will investigate the 2012 attack in Benghazi, Libya, while Democrats debate whether they want to participate.

Boehner named the six Republicans today who will serve on the panel chaired by South Carolina Republican Trey Gowdy. They are Susan Brooks of Indiana, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Mike Pompeo of Kansas, Martha Roby of Alabama, Peter Roskam of Illinois and Lynn Westmoreland of Georgia.

Democrats aren’t sure they want to be part of a probe that House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi calls a “political stunt.” After a meeting today with Democratic members, Pelosi said negotiations with Boehner are continuing.

Democrat Chris Van Hollen of Maryland indicated after the meeting that a Democratic boycott is still possible. He says, “We don’t want a kangaroo court.” Another Democrat, Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, said, “If you’re going to have a hanging don’t ask me to bring the noose.” But fellow Democrat Henry Waxman of California says Democrats — in his words — “ought to be there every day, recording why it’s a sham.”

Republicans insist the Obama administration hasn’t come clean on what happened during and after the attack, in which the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans were killed.

%@AP Links

172-a-04-(House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., at news conference)-“a political stunt”-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says the GOP created the committee for a simple reason. (9 May 2014)

<

171-a-13-(House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., with reporters)-“an immigration bill”-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says the GOP goal is to score points for the upcoming elections. (9 May 2014)

<

060-a-19-(House Speaker John Boehner (BAY’-nur), R-Ohio, during debate Thursday)-“accountability, or justice”-House Speaker John Boehner says a new House investigation into the Benghazi attack will be conducted fairly. ((note length of cut)) (9 May 2014)

<

061-a-10-(Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., during debate Thursday)-“simple, no politics”-Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen says the special committee is the best way to find out what really happened. (9 May 2014)

<

APPHOTO DCJM204: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., speaks at her weekly news briefing Friday, May 9, 2014, on Capitol Hill in Washington. House Democrats stand deeply divided over whether to participate in a Republican-led investigation of the deadly attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, with party leader Nancy Pelosi calling the newest probe a “political stunt.” (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (9 May 2014)

<

APPHOTO WX105: Speaker of the House John Boehner is asked about the special select committee he has formed to investigate the deadly 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya, raising the stakes in a political battle with the Obama administration as the midterm election season heats up, during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 8, 2014. To congressional Republicans, “Benghazi” is shorthand for incompetence and cover-up. Democrats hear it is as the hollow sound of pointless investigations. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (8 May 2014)

<

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote