WASHINGTON — Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), issued the following statement on the Biden-Harris administration’s long-awaited proposed rule authorizing student loan forgiveness to borrowers experiencing hardship:
“This announcement is a strong step towards desperately needed relief for approximately 8 million at-risk borrowers facing persistent, crippling financial burdens—from unexpected medical bills to high child care costs to natural disaster recovery. Approximately 6 million of those borrowers may be eligible for automatic relief, preventing the most severe consequences of default. A college education should be a stepping stone to greater economic opportunity, not a crushing barrier to it.
“We thank the Biden-Harris administration for continuing to answer progressives’ calls and wield their executive power on this issue, especially as the GOP ramps up attacks on debt relief programs in the courts. From day 1, right-wing state attorneys general have weaponized this issue for political gain while leaving working families out to dry. We look forward to enacting this rule and building on the historic progress this administration has made on debt relief with over $175 billion already forgiven for nearly 5 million Americans.”
