U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, broke with Republican leadership and voted for the College Reduction Act of 2007, a bill to boost college scholarships and reduce student loan interest costs. The measure passed the House Wednesday.U.S. Rep.

Jason Altmire, D-4th, also voted for the bill.The legislation would increase the maximum Pell Grant scholarship by at least $500 over the next five years and expand the programs' eligibility to include more students with financial need.Additionally, the bill would reduce the interest rate on undergraduate federally subsidized loans to 3.4 from 6.8 percent over six years. Interest rates would drop to 6.12 percent after July 1, 2008, and would reach the lowest rate of 3.4 percent in July 2012."At a time when college tuition across the country is reaching record levels,"English said, "it is critical for Congress to enact policies that will increase access to higher education for all Americans."Altmire said: "This is the largest investment in higher education in 60 years. This is a historic step toward realizing the goal of making college affordable for everyone."———U.S. Sen.

Bob Casey, D-Pa., on Wednesday praised the Senate Appropriations Committee for increasing funding for programs to help communities fight violent crime in the federal Fiscal Year 2008 Budget.Casey earlier wrote to the committee in support of additional funding for these programs.The panel has recommended state and local law enforcement receive $2.65 billion to accomplish this, an increase of more than $126 million over the level provided in 2007.Casey's letter requested increased funding for three programs: the COPS program, the Byrne/JAG program and Juvenile Justice Programs."Securing money to combat violent crime is crucial to keep our communities safe and this is the first step to achieving that," the senator said.———U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, this week announced the appointment of 21 new members to his Veterans Advisory Board.Comprised of veteran leaders and community members actively involved with local veterans, the board routinely meets and proposes solutions to help ease the burden of top issues such as health care coverage and benefit costs.The new members were nominated by current board members or veteran organizationsAppointees and their Veterans of Foreign Wars or American Legion Post homes include Leslie Harvey, Joseph T. Black Post No. 249 VFW, Butler; Joseph Roudebush, Dierken Ritzert American Legion Post 642, Chicora; and Dean Snyder, Joseph T. Black Post No. 249 VFW, Butler.