WASHINGTON — Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, issued the following statement on new action from the Biden administration to cancel nearly $6 billion in student debt and ensure relief for borrowers enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program:

“The President gets it. Today, thousands more borrowers are finally able to imagine life after student debt.

“After the Supreme Court struck down his plan for nationwide, universal student debt relief, he and Secretary Cardona got to work. They’ve been relentless in the pursuit of other avenues to help the millions of Americans burdened by student debt. Today’s new action means that commitment has resulted in nearly $144 billion in debt canceled for about four million borrowers. With the administration’s fixes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, teachers, nurses, firefighters, and others in public service will see their relief sooner and can finally start putting their hard-earned income towards buying homes, investing in their communities, and taking care of their families. 

“Progressives were the earliest and loudest champions of student debt cancellation, and this President is delivering — despite Republican blocking. We are proud to continue our partnership with this administration on its implementation of this and other pathways to cancellation.”