Padilla Joins Schatz, Pocan in Introducing Legislation to Make College More Affordable

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) in introducing the Debt-Free College Act, legislation that would reduce the cost of college for students and help mitigate the growing student debt crisis in the United States. The bill also restores a path to an affordable college education by providing states incentives through matching grants to increase investments in public higher education and provide students with debt-free college.

"Rising costs and overwhelming student debt shouldn't keep students from pursuing life changing higher education opportunities," said Senator Padilla. "I'm proud to cosponsor this bill to expand affordable higher education access and ensure more students and families can earn a college degree without financial burdens."

"Solving the student loan debt crisis means focusing on the full cost of college - that includes books, room and board, and supplies," said Senator Schatz. "Our bill brings states back to the table and leverages federal dollars to reinvest in public education and help students and their families cover the real cost of college."

"Every student in America deserves the opportunity to get a college education without student debt crushing them for years after graduation," said Representative Pocan. "The Debt-Free College Act creates a federal-state partnership that would enable students to attend college debt-free within five years. Student debt isn't just about tuition-it's books, housing, supplies, and food. This bill reflects those true costs. If we believe in the value of our education system, then we should make it easier for students to pursue higher education, not financially burdensome for years to come. This bill helps ensure that college is accessible to all."

The Debt-Free College Act would establish a state-federal partnership that provides a dollar-for-dollar federal match to state higher education appropriations in exchange for a commitment to help students pay for the full cost of attendance without having to take on debt. The bicameral legislation, first introduced in 2018, was the first proposal to go beyond free tuition, and ensure that students leave college without the financial burden of student loan debt.

According to the Education Data Initiative, 72% of student debt holders believe their student loan debt will delay homeownership. A 2025 survey from The Institute for College Access & Success found that student loans negatively impacted the ability to cover basic needs for more than 4 in 10 borrowers. 52 percent of borrowers reported that their loans negatively impacted their ability to save for retirement while nearly a third said loans impacted their plans to get married and start a family.

In addition to Padilla and Schatz, this bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.)

In addition to Pocan, is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Jesús García (D-Ill.), and Cleo Fields (D-La.).

Senator Padilla has consistently advocated to increase access to higher education. As President Trump and Congressional Republicans work to make college more unaffordable and unattainable for millions of working-class families, Padilla joined Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in introducing the College for All Act to make public colleges and universities tuition free for 95% of students. In 2024, Padilla reintroduced the Basic Assistance for Students in College (BASIC) Act, bicameral legislation to help ensure college students can meet their basic needs while pursuing their education. Padilla also supports the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2024, bicameral legislation that would nearly double the Pell Grant maximum award, index the maximum award for inflation, and make other improvements to expand the award for working students and families.

Full text of the bill is available here.

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