Rep. Pressley's Statement on President Biden Cancelling Student Debt

Statement

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement today after President Biden canceled student debt.

"For nearly two years, we have organized, mobilized, and advocated for President Biden to be bold and responsive to the movement that elected him by using his executive authority to cancel federal student loan debt. We pressed for this on behalf of and in partnership with families across America--the Black and brown folks, the women, the students, the workers, the elderly, the parents, the teachers, the young people, and more--who have been devastated by this nearly $2 trillion crisis, because it is a kitchen table issue impacting folks from every walk of life.

"We urged the President to make good on his promise to cancel student debt and bring meaningful relief to our families in this moment of overlapping crises--and today he acted. The President's action today will change lives for the better. By reducing this unjust debt burden, this decision will help millions of people to make ends meet, build generational wealth, grow their families, purchase homes, and more. I urge President Biden and Secretary Cardona to ensure this relief is implemented as swiftly and efficiently as possible.

"We would not be here today if it were not for the broad and diverse coalition working relentlessly to make this moment possible and to move the issue of student debt cancellation from whispered conversations at the dinner table to the forefront of our political discourse. Today is a victory for the movement and for so many families.

"I thank President Biden for heeding our calls with this decisive action and for delivering this life-changing and long-overdue relief for the people. I look forward to continuing to partner with his Administration to address the college affordability crisis head on. Our work continues."

Rep. Pressley, along with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), have consistently called on President Biden to cancel student debt. Last year, they led their colleagues in reintroducing their bicameral resolution outlining a bold plan for President Biden to tackle the student loan debt crisis by using existing authority under the Higher Education Act to cancel federal student loan debt.

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