The $80 tax credit, as you say, helps students pay for their books, except that it doesn't help them pay for their books when they're buying them. It helps them eight months later, when they get the tax credit. Maybe if they're still there the next year it helps them a little bit to buy the following year's books, perhaps. I think they need the money up front when they're going in the fall. They need the help then with their tuition, with their books, and their various other costs. That's the challenge this bill is trying to address.
On May 29th, 2007. See this statement in context.