By David R. Kazak

Congress started debate Wednesday on sweeping budget proposals which, if passed, will slash funding to many educational programs, including direct student loans.

The House and Senate have different budget bills which need to be passed by their respective members before the two versions are combined into one package. The final version will then be voted on and presented to President Bill Clinton.

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Both the House and Senate proposals would cut more than $10 billion from different programs. In the Senate version, Sen. Paul Simon’s, D-Ill, direct student loan program would be capped, allowing only 20 percent of those students who receive student loans to receive direct lending.

The House version would cut the direct loan program out all together.

Democrats in both the House and Senate are attempting to curtail these cuts, but one spokesperson for Simon says the prospects do not look good.

Simon spokesman David Carle said Democrats in both the House and Senate are attempting to offer alternative budget proposals which do not cut any spending to educational programs. But Carle said the prospects for their passing do not look good.

Senate Democrats will be trying two different means of stopping the GOP cuts, amendments and the alternative budget proposals. House Democrats are left less options, because House Republicans have voted to not allow any amendments to their budget proposal.

A spokesperson for Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Ill, said so-called Blue Dog Democrats will be presenting an alternative proposal in lieu of any amendments.

Carle said the House is expected to vote on their version of the proposal today. The Senate might vote today or tomorrow.

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Either way, Carle said Democratic proposals do not fair well in the GOP-led Congress.