Pressures aligning on Biden, Democrats to forgive student loans
By Alex Gangitano and Aris Folley - 01/12/22 06:00 AM EST Advocates and lawmakers are stepping up the pressure on President Biden to act on student loan forgiveness, focusing on it as a major issue some warn Democrats could pay for at the ballot box in the upcoming midterm elections.
Biden has been called on to work with Congress on the issue and provide more transparency about his authority to wipe out all federal student debt for millions of Americans. The extension once again of the student loan repayment pause amid record spikes in COVID-19 cases made advocates optimistic that more action will come out of the White House.
“I think the administration needs to engage more with Congress on this because I think there's real concern,” Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) told The Hill.
Broad-based student loan forgiveness has gained support among Democratic leaders like Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who are looking to Biden for support on the issue as the party prepares for a critical election year.
“Pressure is mounting from all fronts. It’s mounting from grassroots, it’s mounting from the public, and it’s mounting from members of Congress. And the reality of the economy, the midterms, there are several pressures that are aligning. They really have to deliver,” said Thomas Gokey, an organizer with the Debt Collective.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/589285-pressures-aligning-on-biden-democrats-to-forgive-student-loans
