U.S. Congressman Allen Boyd, D-North Florida, continued his fight Thursday to protect student loan industry jobs in North Florida, specifically at SallieMae in Bay County, by leading an effort in the House of Representatives to push back on proposals to end the current privatized student loan system.

Congressman Boyd, joined by 30 other House Democrats, sent a letter to the House Committee on Education and Labor urging Congress to consider alternatives to ending the Federal Family Education Loan, FFEL, program.

In recent months, Congressman Boyd has voiced serious concerns over the Administration’s proposal that would direct the Department of Education to administer all student loans, and he has advocated for alternatives that would safeguard the private lending infrastructure, including the jobs at SallieMae in Panama City.

“Hundreds of North Floridians are currently employed by SallieMae, and I am committed to working to protect their jobs, particularly during this economic downturn,” said Congressman Boyd. “This letter shows that there is strong support in the House for preserving the current student lending infrastructure that has served our students and schools well for years. I will continue to advocate for a more sensible approach that protects jobs and maintains the reliable administration and servicing of student loans.”

Congressman Boyd’s letter coincides with an alternative proposal submitted this week by the student loan community that would modify the current student lending system without ending the private sector’s role.

Congressman Boyd also worked closely with local and national SallieMae officials to ensure that the Congressional Budget Resolution, passed earlier this year, reflected the benefits of the private sector lenders of student loans.

Congressman Boyd was successful in including language in the Congressional Budget Resolution that directs the federal government to look for ways to continue to use the present FFEL industry to preserve efficiency and provide employment to people in North Florida.

“I worked closely with SallieMae officials at both the local and national levels throughout the budget process earlier this year, and this partnership continues today,” Boyd stated. “I look forward to continuing to work together as Congress considers ways to improve the student loan industry and ensure efficient private sector and government collaboration.”