Hello,

To say higher education costs have gone up is the understatement of the century. From 1970 (around when I graduated college) to 2020, tuition costs have exploded by more than 2,000 percent. It’s no wonder millions of students and their families need to rely on student loans.

What was once a gateway to the middle-class has become a crushing financial burden on those trying to achieve the American Dream of a better life. Instead of supporting students, we’re punishing them with a lifetime of debt for simply pursuing a higher education.

That’s why I’m fighting for a comprehensive approach to student debt—one I’ll continue to fight for in the Senate:

Make college affordable: I cosponsored the Debt Free College Act to incentivize states to offer debt free college by unlocking matching federal funds.
Expand access to community college and public colleges: The College for All Act, which I also cosponsored, would waive tuition and fees for every community college student and qualifying students at public colleges and universities.
Reduce the burden of student loans: This is the one I need your help with. I’ve signed a letter to President Biden, calling on him to cancel up to $50,000 of each borrower’s federal student loan debt.

I’ve fought for this issue for a long time because Vermonters bear a disproportionate burden of student debt—facing an average debt of $31k, which is even higher than the $28k national average. Vermont has some of the best colleges in the country—it’s only fair that people are able to afford them.

No one should be forced into crushing debt just to pay for college. If you agree we need real action to lower costs and reduce student debt, sign your name under mine on this letter to President Biden.

ADD YOUR NAME

Thanks for being in this fight,

Peter

Peter Welch lives in Norwich, VT, and has represented Vermonters in Congress since 2007—now he’s running for Senate to fill the seat that opened up when Sen. Leahy announced his retirement. After working as a public defender and running a small law practice in Vermont, he worked in and eventually led the Vermont Senate.

In his time in Congress, Peter is widely recognized as a progressive leader and a skillful legislator who chooses governing over gridlock. That’s clear in his record: Peter is an original cosponsor of the Green New Deal and is a leading advocate for lowering the cost of prescription drugs, providing affordable childcare, expanding access to broadband in rural America, and protecting our imperiled democracy.

Importantly, Peter doesn’t accept corporate PAC money because he’s focused on building an America that works for everyone and holding big corporations accountable and finally making them pay their fair share.