October 2, 2019 3:30 a.m. 
On Tuesday, Oregon Senator’s Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced new legislation they say would address an injustice for some students wanting to use the American Opportunity Act Tax Credit for Higher Education.
A release from the Senators said the AOTC is the primary tax credit available to students seeking a higher education. However, students with a prior felony drug conviction are permanently ineligible from using the credit. The release said that requirement “backwards” and makes it more difficult to ensure successful reentry for those who have served their time, by limiting ability to advance their education and pursue a career. The “Eliminating Discrimination and Creating Corridors to Expand Student Success Act of 2019” would repeal the lifetime ban, according to the release.
Merkley said “even after serving their sentences, countless Americans face hurdle after hurdle when it comes to reentering society”. He said the legislation is “a step forward” in clearing those obstacles to help those Americans receive an education and “put themselves on a path to a better life- benefiting them, their families, and all of our communities”.
Wyden said “the federal government shouldn’t stand in the way of those seeking a better life”. He said “it is past time to repeal this discriminatory requirement”.
The release said the legislation is supported by a coalition of over 20 groups including the Drug Policy Alliance, FreedomWorks and the NAACP.