AFT’s Weingarten on President Biden’s Approval of Student Debt Relief for 5 Million Borrowers

WASHINGTON-AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement after the Biden administration announced new measures bringing the total number of borrowers receiving debt relief to over 5 million, totaling $183.6 billion, through additional Public Service Loan Forgiveness, borrower defense and disability discharge approvals:

"From Day 1, President Biden has stood up again and again for the millions of Americans who want to pursue a college education without having their lives derailed by unsustainable student debt. Biden had borrowers' backs, even after political extremists tried to derail his plans in the courts.

"This is what opportunity for all looks like: It's why the AFT has fought hard to achieve broad-based college affordability through student debt relief. It's why we've been relentless in our advocacy and action to preserve the promise of PSLF through member town halls, student debt clinics, our political work, and by suing Betsy DeVos and predatory servicers MOHELA and Navient.

"It's why now, in the aftermath of November's election, we don't want a repeat of the last Trump administration, where debt relief was routinely denied and the Department of Education sided with servicers and for-profit colleges over students trying to get ahead.

"We will continue to fight for opportunity for all. And today, we give thanks on behalf of the millions of Americans and their families who've been able to breathe easier as the shackles of student debt were loosened or removed for good. We pledge to champion their cause for the next four years-and far beyond."

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The AFT represents 1.8 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.