John,

The Trump administration has started sending out notices to people whose federal student loans are in default. They’re planning to take money out of people’s wages, and could also take tax refunds and some Social Security benefits.

This is outrageous. Already, most Americans live paycheck to paycheck and can’t afford additional expenses. They certainly can’t afford to have their wages or benefits garnished.

Millions of Americans have lost health insurance due to Republicans’ cuts, and the cost of living keeps getting higher—with rising grocery prices, utility bills, and more.

As the largest holder of student loan debt, the U.S. government can free millions of our neighbors from this crushing burden. We also must urgently wipe out medical debt: It impacts about half of Americans, and it’s the leading cause of bankruptcy.

Sign the petition to urge Congress and the rest of the federal government to cancel medical debt and education debt, and make healthcare and public colleges free.

We already have the solutions, as well as bills that take significant steps in the direction we need. I’ve led and supported policies to:

• Eliminate all $220 billion in medical debt held by millions of Americans, and drastically limit the accrual of future medical debt

• Cancel all federal student loans taken out since 1965, and enable federal agencies to cancel private student loans

• Create a system for universal healthcare, including Medicare for All

• Make community colleges free and eliminate tuition and fees for most families at public four-year colleges

• Defer payment of student loans and freeze interest rates at zero percent

• Wipe medical debt off credit reports, so millions of people can access necessities like housing or transportation

• Limit debt collection for student loans and limit interest rates for servicemembers

Please add your name if you agree: Congress and the federal government should wipe out medical and education debt, and make healthcare and public colleges free for all.

We can fund these programs by taxing billionaires and big corporations, and moving funds away from state violence.

Instead, last year, Republicans in Congress cut more than $1 trillion from Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP to fund tax breaks for billionaires. Most also refused to renew Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, which keep coverage affordable for millions of lower-income families.

However, last year Republicans found the funds to secure an unprecedented $170 billion for ICE and other immigration enforcement, and broke records with a nearly $1 trillion military budget. Now, they’re considering adding even more money to Trump’s immoral deportation scheme through 2026 government spending bills being negotiated right now.

Our government has the money our communities need, including money to give out ongoing direct cash assistance to Americans, to cancel debt, and to ensure everyone has access to healthcare, housing, food, education, and more.

It’s our taxpayer money. And we could fund even more by taxing billionaires, Wall Street, and big corporations.

Together, we’ll continue fighting for a government that serves the people.

With you in the fight,

Rashida

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Rashida Tlaib
Date: Tue, Jan 13, 2026
Subject: Sign to cancel medical debt and student debt
To: [email protected]

JOHN,

Millions of Americans went into default on their federal student loans during the years-long pause on collection and wage garnishment.

Now, Trump’s Department of Education will start taking money out of their wages, and could also target tax refunds and some Social Security benefits. They began sending out notices last week.¹

Most Americans live paycheck to paycheck and are already struggling to afford the rising cost of living. People cannot afford additional expenses.

Last year’s Republican-led cuts to healthcare have also made health coverage less affordable. Even before last year, about half of Americans reported having medical debt—which is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States.

Please sign if you agree: It’s time to cancel education debt and medical debt, and make healthcare and public colleges free for all.

No one should face financial ruin for wanting an education or getting the healthcare they need. People pursuing higher education and seeking healthcare are doing what they’re supposed to do, and they shouldn’t be punished for it.

In fact, healthcare and education are human rights, and they should be accessible for everyone.

With the racial wealth gap continuing to widen, cancelling debt is also a racial justice issue, along with economic and gender justice.

Plus it’s incredibly popular with the American people; polls show that 84% of Republican voters want to cancel medical debt.

We already have great policies on this:

I co-led 2024’s Medical Debt Cancellation Act, which would eliminate all $220 billion in medical debt held by millions of Americans, wipe it from credit reports, and drastically limit the accrual of future medical debt.

I’ve also co-sponsored legislation such as the Medicare for All Act, the Student Debt Cancellation Act, and the College for All Act, which would make community colleges free and eliminate tuition and fees for most families at public four-year colleges.

Please add your name to demand Congress and the federal government abolish medical debt and education debt, and make public colleges and healthcare free for all.

Thank you for demanding our rights!

Our government can afford to do this, especially if we raise taxes on billionaires and massive corporations, and cut budgets for ICE and the Pentagon.

It’s a matter of priorities. Although we’re up against Big Money, we know that people power has won and can win.

Together, we came so close to a huge victory regarding medical debt. After leading (and passing in the House) legislation to get medical debt off credit reports, I worked with President Biden’s Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to successfully take $50 billion of medical debt off 15 million Americans’ credit reports.

But when Trump took office, he reversed this rule and destroyed the CFPB. I will continue to fight like hell until the American people get the debt relief they deserve.

With you in the fight for better,

Rashida

^1. If you haven’t paid your federal student loan in more than 270 days and it’s in default, you can find out how to get out of default on the Federal Student Aid website. You should receive advance notice and information about steps you can take.