Bonamici, Merkley, Mannion, Underwood, Alsobrooks Introduce Resolution to Overturn Student Loan Rule

WASHINGTON, DC [6/4/26] - Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Rep. John Mannion (D-NY), Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval in the House and Senate to repeal the Department of Education's finalized rule that caps federal student loans and overhauls the student loan system.

The final rule unnecessarily limits the definition of a professional degree for the purpose of establishing federal loan caps, which will force future nurses, social workers, teachers, firefighters, physical and occupational therapists, and many others to turn to often predatory, high-interest private lenders to complete their degrees. It also officially eliminates the Grad PLUS program and creates new, more expensive loan repayment options for all borrowers.

"We should be making it easier, not harder for people to enter essential professions like nursing, education, and social work," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. "The Trump administration does not have the best interest of the people who want to go into these professions in mind. The shortsighted changes to the student loan program will make higher education more expensive and drive people away from the jobs our communities need. I'll keep working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to stop these unacceptable changes to the student loan program."

"Nurses, teachers, counselors, and social workers are dedicated public servants, and Congress must do everything it can to help recruit the next generation of these heroes," said Senator Jeff Merkley. "We're already facing a shortage of these critical workers, and new limits on federal student loans for these professions and others threaten to further jeopardize the future of our workforce. Financial freedom and flexibility are essential to aspiring students, and I'm leading the charge with my colleagues to oppose these dangerous changes and stand up for affordable student loans so folks can continue to achieve their dreams and serve the public."

"The Trump Administration is making it harder for people to become nurses, social workers, counselors, and other essential professionals at the exact moment our communities need them most," said Representative John W. Mannion. "This rule is arbitrary, short-sighted, and harmful to low- and middle-income students who do not have the luxury of paying out of pocket for an advanced degree, which is why I'm working with my colleagues on this legislation to repeal this shortsighted rule. We should be expanding access to educational opportunity, not creating new barriers to the workforce."

"While working families struggle to buy groceries and put gas in their cars, the Trump Administration is sending a clear message to aspiring nurses, health care providers, social workers, teachers, and firefighters: If you can't afford a high interest loan, then you can't serve your community," said Rep. Lauren Underwood. "This rule will undermine public health, and it's a slap in the face to the millions of professionals who are doing critically important work to support the health and well-being of our families. It should be thrown out, and I'm proud to join my colleagues on this Congressional Review Act resolution to get it overturned."

"The Trump Administration is once again actively targeting the public servants who make up the bedrock of our communities - nurses, teachers, and social workers - by taking away their opportunities to access affordable student loans and forcing them into the clutches of private lenders," said Senator Alsobrooks. "This new rule creates a deep inequity that will exacerbate nursing and educator shortages and is an insult to the hard working professionals that sacrifice every day to serve others."

The final rule establishes an arbitrary list of 11 fields that are eligible for an aggregate borrowing limit of $200,000. Borrowers in programs excluded from the definition of "professional" - including nurses, social workers, teachers, firefighters, physical and occupational therapists, and more - will have a $20,500 annual borrowing limit and a $100,000 aggregate borrowing limit. This will exacerbate healthcare workforce shortages and disincentivize students from entering high-need fields.

Millions of borrowers with outstanding student loans will also see their required monthly payment amounts increase by hundreds of dollars, dramatically adding to the affordability crisis. Changes to student loan repayment include significantly higher monthly loan payments and a mandated $50 minimum monthly payment under the Tiered Standard Repayment Plan, rather than allowing for lower amounts when the lender and borrower agree. Together, these changes will disproportionately affect low- and middle-income students and families.

The text of the CRA can be read here. It is supported by nearly 200 organizations including: AASA, The School Superintendents Association; Advanced Professionals Workforce Alliance, American Academy of Audiology; American Academy of Physician Associates; American Association for Marriage and Therapy (AAMFT); American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN); American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA); American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP); American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM); American Counseling Association; American Institute of Architects; American Library Association; American Nurses Association (ANA); Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, National Art Education Association; National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNP); National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP); National Association of Social Workers (NASW); National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy; National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC); National Career Development Association; National Education Association (NEA); the National League for Nursing (NLN); National Nurses United; National Rural Health Association; the PA Education Association; and National Rural Health Association.

"Students do better when educators have the training, support, and opportunities they need to grow in their professions," said National Education Association President Becky Pringle. "This administration rule is making it harder for teachers, school counselors, nurses, social workers, and other public service professionals to pursue advanced degrees by pushing many of them towards predatory high-interest loans and deeper debt. At a time when schools across the country are struggling with staffing shortages, we should be removing barriers to the profession, not creating new ones. Repealing this rule is essential to restoring fairness and ensuring aspiring educators are not priced out of serving their communities."

"On behalf of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), we thank Representatives Bonamici, Mannion and Underwood and Senators Merkley and Alsobrooks for their efforts to introduce legislation that will overturn the recent final rule for the Reimagining and Improving Student Education Federal Student Loan Program," said AANP President Valerie Fuller, PhD, DNP. "The final rule written by the Department of Education will have a devasting impact on our nation's health care workforce. It is critical that we work together to ensure that nursing students have access to the necessary federal student loans to pursue their education and ultimately deliver care in their communities. It's time we invest in our next generation of health care providers."

Additional statements of support can be found here.

In the House, the CRA is cosponsored by Representatives Becca Balint (D-VT), Nanette Barragan (D-CA), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Janelle Bynum (D-OR), André Carson (D-IN), Troy Carter (D-LA), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Angie Craig (D-MN), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Madeline Dean (D-PA), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Llyod Doggett (D-TX), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Laura Friedman (D-CA), John Garamendi (D-CA), Daniel Goldman (D-NY), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Rick Larsen (D-WA), John Larson (D-CT), Summer Lee (D-PA), Mike Levin (D-CA), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Joseph Morelle (D-NY), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), Scott Peters (D-CA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Mark Takano (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL).

In the Senate, the legislation is cosponsored by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

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