In spite of his campaign promises to the contrary, the president is dragging his feet on lifting a burden weighing on millions of Americans.
By Aída Chávez, The Nation
President Joe Biden still plans on restarting federal student loan payments in May, falling short of his campaign promise to forgive at least $10,000 in student loan debt per borrower. As the coronavirus pandemic enters its third year and the White House hemorrhages support from young people, progressives, as well as advocates for debt cancellation, warn that inaction on the student debt crisis will almost certainly hurt Democrats in this year’s midterm elections.
Biden’s refusal to implement modest debt relief also comes at a time when prices are surging and pandemic-related federal benefits are being phased out, placing the greatest burden on the poor and working-class. After facing backlash for failing to further extend a moratorium on student loan payments, first enacted under the Trump administration when the pandemic began two years ago, the Biden administration reversed its position last month and announced a 90-day extension of the moratorium, citing the Omicron variant as the primary reason for the change.

“The longer there’s a pause, the harder it is to justify the need to collect on these payments when people can’t pay, and, unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like people’s financial situations are going to get any better in the next few months,” Braxton Brewington, a spokesperson for the Debt Collective, a national union for debt holders, told The Nation.
Recent Posts
Democrats Are Too Paralyzed To Take Action On Abortion Rights
July 6, 2022
Take Action Now For months, the Democratic Party leadership knew the Supreme Court was preparing to gut Roe v. Wade. When it happened, they…
Corporate Media Keeps Helping Big Oil Whitewash Its Image
July 6, 2022
Take Action Now Even now, when scientists say we’ve done irreversible damage to our planet, corporate and legacy news outlets won’t give up…
Shireen Abu Akleh’s Murder Not “Intentional,” Claims State Department
July 5, 2022
Take Action Now “The odds that those responsible for the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh will be held to account are all but…
Joe Biden Is Faltering Amid The Biggest Challenges Of His Presidency
July 5, 2022
Take Action Now Joe Biden is not up to the task at hand By Eoin Higgins, The Flashpoint During the 2020 Democratic primary,…