With the rates on subsidized federal student loans set to double on July 1 from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent, Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) is sponsoring legislation to extend the lower rate for another two years. Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wis.) has introduced a bill that he says would solve the greater problems facing student loans instead of punting yet again.

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After FAA furloughs were spared by Congress, advocates for other agencies and programs are looking for fixes to their own across-the-board budget cut woes. Key Democratic and Republican lawmakers have suggested law enforcement and homeland security are in a good position to get some help, especially post-Boston.

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Sens. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) are applauding the FAA and DOT for "keeping all 149 federal air traffic control towers" open, including five in their home state.

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POLITICO - President Barack Obama on Wednesday signed into law a bill that allows the FAA to shift money from the Airport Improvement Program to avoid furloughing air traffic controllers. At the same time, Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) are gathering signatures for a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta that seeks to pin the administration down on whether it intends to keep funding flowing to the 149 contract towers currently slated for closure on June 15.

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As lawmakers head home for recess, many will be talking immigration reform with their constituents for the first time since the Gang of Eight released its immigration proposal. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) acknowledged Tuesday that the immigration reform bill in its current incarnation likely won't pass the Republican-led Housecalling it a starting point.

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U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (R-Nev.) praised Transportation Secretary-designate Anthony Foxx in a statement on Tuesday, saying he hopes the confirmation will be speedy, given his impeccable credentials. "I am confident that Mayor Foxx will continue Secretary Ray LaHood's legacy of making smart investments that make our roads, rails and airways safer for all Americans and their families," Reid said.

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Congress last week passed legislation that allows the Department of Transportation (DOT) to transfer $253 million to operations from the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to cancel the controllers' furloughs. While contract tower supporters say there is $21 million left over, which is sufficient to keep towers operating, HAI and other aviation associations, lawmakers, and pilots say, "Not so fast — control towers could still be in jeopardy!"

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Top Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee made clear last week that they plan to proceed with caution when it comes to deciding the fate of the mortgage interest deduction. Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) pledged that the write-off would be subject to a "careful, thoughtful review" during tax reform discussions.

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Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said last week that backers of the Senate legislation on immigration reform cannot afford passage barely above the filibuster proof margin of 60 senators if they want to force the hand of the GOP-led House. But at a news briefing, House Judiciary Committee chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) said he does not favor a special path to citizenship, although he is open to some kind of legal status.

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Last week's anticipated vote on a bill that would require companies to collect sales tax on internet sales has been delayed until May 6, after Congress returns from its current recess.

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