Majority Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Opposing Senate Republicans’ Effort To Overturn Much-Needed Student Debt Relief

Washington, D.C. – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on Senate Republicans forcing a vote on a resolution that would overturn President Biden’s student loan relief plan. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Today, Senate Republicans continue their cruelty, their lack of connection with what people want and need, as they force a vote on a cruel measure to eliminate President Biden’s historic loan repayment program, a punch to the gut for millions and millions of borrowers, the overwhelming majority of whom are working class, poor, or middle class.

Let me be clear: I strongly – very strongly – oppose this terrible Republican measure to deny American families relief from the crushing burden of student debt.

My Republican colleagues like to talk a big game about helping working families, but with this student debt Congressional Review Act, they are actively trying to increase the pain on so many working Americans, who need a hand in paying off their student loans.

The hypocrisy is astounding on the other side of the aisle. Republicans don’t think twice about giving huge tax breaks to ultra-wealthy billionaires and large corporations, but when it comes to helping out working families with student debt relief, suddenly it’s too much money, it will raise the deficit, we can’t afford it. Give me a break. Cut taxes on multibillionaires and tell a struggling student who's making $30,000, $40,000 a year they can't get a little help on their student loans? That is so out of whack with what the American people want and care.

Let me be clear: the President’s SAVE plan is a major lifeline for student loan borrowers to help get their financial houses in order. Over 5.5 million Americans are signed up and benefitting from this plan, so the worst thing we could do right now is let the Republican CRA pass and pull the rug out from under these borrowers’ feet with no warning.

I strongly oppose this Republican CRA to overturn student debt relief, Democrats will keep working to make sure relief reaches every borrower in need.

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