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Only Thing Student Debt Relief is Inflating Is Your Checking Account
New Data for Progress polling conducted after details of Biden’s student debt cancellation plan were released shows that a majority of voters support all of its major provisions (including student debt forgiveness for Pell Grant recipients, caps on interest, and more). In addition, our economic analysis findings provide further evidence that this policy could have long-lasting economic benefits and that people who think it will substantially worsen inflation are being dramatic.
When given a detailed description of what the plan would accomplish, likely voters support it by a +13-point margin. Although voters who are current student loan borrowers are the most favorably disposed (supporting the plan by a +56-point margin), a majority of past student borrowers and plurality of those who were never borrowers back the plan too.
Around 1-in-3 voters who are student borrowers indicate that they expect to save more as a result of the student debt relief plan, with 32 percent saying they would do more to prepare for short-term emergencies and 35 percent saying that they would save more for long-term goals like a wedding, retirement, or a child’s own college tuition. A slightly greater share of voters — 38 percent — express an intent to reduce other debt balances like credit card debt or pay off bills.
Read the national poll and economic analysis here.
Here are some other highlights from DFP this week:
Ope! Midwesterners Love the Inflation Reduction Act
With the successful passing of the Inflation Reduction Act, lawmakers in Washington, D.C., have taken a long-overdue step to tackle the climate crisis. The bill will invest a landmark $369 billion in ramping up domestic clean energy production (including wind and solar power), increasing America’s energy security, and reducing harmful pollution in communities that are on the frontlines of climate change.
New Data for Progress polling in Wisconsin and Michigan finds that nearly two-thirds of Wisconsin and Michigan voters support the Inflation Reduction Act and an even larger majority want Governor Tony Evers and Governor Gretchen Whitmer to ensure that voters will benefit from these federal climate and clean energy funds. Voters also express significant concern about climate change and overwhelmingly support efforts to increase clean energy production.
The Inflation Reduction Act enjoys a +36-point margin of support among Wisconsin voters. This includes nearly all Democrats (91 percent) and over two-thirds of Independents (68 percent). Even 41 percent of Republicans in the Badger State back the bill.
The Inflation Reduction Act also enjoys a +37-point margin among Michigan voters. This includes a majority of Democrats (87 percent) and nearly two-thirds of Independents (65 percent). Even 42 percent of Republicans in the state back the bill.
Read about our polls with Evergreen Action in Wisconsin and Michigan on our website.
Voters Urgently Want Federal Judge Positions Filled To Help Protect Abortion
There are over 79 vacancies in the United States federal judiciary. Based on current vacancies, pending nominees, and time remaining for the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold hearings, experts expect that the Senate could leave dozens of these judicial positions unfilled by the end of the year if the judiciary committee doesn’t step up the pace. This means that thousands of cases are in limbo and voters seeking justice are left with extreme wait times.
New Demand Justice and Data for Progress polling shows 71 percent of voters say it is “very urgent” or “somewhat urgent” for the Senate to fill these empty federal judge positions. This includes 86 percent of Democrats, 69 percent of Independents, and 58 percent of Republicans.
Read the full poll here.
Crudités.
Are you an ultra-millionaire, 10-time property owner, TV doctor, New Jersey resident, and Republican Senate candidate? If not, you probably won’t know the definition of crudités — basically a fancy word for a veggie tray — according to our new polling.
After everyone’s favorite carpetbagger Dr. Oz released a video bemoaning the price of the obscure French appetizer, we asked American voters if they know what crudités even are. The result? Less than half of Americans can identify the correct definition – and the other half thought it was a type of mineral, a style of art, or a form of illness.
We’re just saying – someone who drops the word crudité in casual conversation might not be in touch with the average American. And they’re probably even less fit to represent the Snack Food Capital of the U.S. These are the kind of hard-hitting, data-driven issues that Data for Progress is here to poll, folks.
Read the (we promise it’s real) poll of national likely voters here.
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