At a town hall last week, President Biden was asked about taking executive action to cancel up to $50,000 of federal student loan debt for millions of Americans.

Biden replied, “I will not make that happen.”

That was disappointing.

But it doesn’t have to be — and we can’t let it be — the end of the story.

Leading Democrats responded to the president, encouraging Biden to use his authority and provide this desperately needed relief to millions of Americans with crushing student loans.

Senators Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren issued a joint statement:

“Presidents Obama and Trump used their executive authority to cancel student loan debt. The Biden administration has said it is reviewing options for cancelling up to $50,000 in student debt by executive action, and we are confident they will agree with the standards Obama and Trump used as well as leading legal experts who have concluded that the administration has broad authority to immediately deliver much-needed relief to millions of Americans. An ocean of student loan debt is holding back 43 million borrowers and disproportionately weighing down Black and Brown Americans. Cancelling $50,000 in federal student loan debt will help close the racial wealth gap, benefit the 40% of borrowers who do not have a college degree, and help stimulate the economy. It’s time to act. We will keep fighting.”

And Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said:

“The case against student loan forgiveness is looking shakier by the day. ... We can and should do it. Keep pushing!”

Join AOC, Senators Schumer and Warren, and Public Citizen in urging Joe Biden not to give up already on using his authority as president to provide millions of Americans relief from crushing and discriminatory student loans.

Add your name.

Thanks for taking action.

For fairness,

- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen

P.S. For half a century, Public Citizen has been advancing policies that put the needs of everyday Americans before the greed of billionaires and Big Business. That legacy of progress and that ongoing work could not matter more right now, as our nation transitions to a Joe Biden presidency that will be as progressive as we — you and Public Citizen, together — make it. We’re also busy undoing all the damage Trump did. And, like so many nonprofits and small businesses, we continue to experience financial strain related to the coronavirus pandemic. If you can, please make an emergency donation today to support the critical work we’re doing together or even join our popular Monthly Giving program. Thank you.
 
 
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