Rubio, Warner Applaud Senate Passage of Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Act

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Mark Warner (D-VA) applauded the Senate passage of their Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Act of 2021. The legislation would provide much-needed relief for individuals who previously consolidated their student loan debt with their spouse. While Congress eliminated the joint consolidation loans program in 2006, it did not provide a way for borrowers to sever existing loans, even in the event of domestic violence, economic abuse, or unresponsiveness from a former partner. The bill would fix this oversight, which has unfortunately left too many borrowers liable for their former spouse's student loan debt. The bill now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives.

"Survivors of domestic violence should never have to pay the debts of their abuser," Rubio said. "This bill would provide financial independence to those survivors who previously consolidated their student loan debt with their partner. I am grateful that the Senate passed this important legislation and I urge the House to do the same so that we can deliver much needed relief to these individuals."

"The Senate passage of this commonsense legislation is a huge step for survivors of domestic violence and financial abuse who have spent decades fighting for their financial freedom," Warner said. "By finally allowing individuals to sever their joint consolidation loans, this bill will provide needed respite to vulnerable individuals who are being unfairly held responsible for the debt of a former partner. I urge my House colleagues to act with urgency and send this bill to the President's desk as soon as possible."

The Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Act has been supported by a number of organizations, including the National Network to End Domestic Violence, National Consumer Law Center, North Carolina Coalition against Domestic Violence, and the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance.

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