Leer en Español
President Biden announced his plan to forgive up to $10,000 in student loans last Wednesday. The measure will affect Americans who make less than $125,000 a year. The announcement, of course, raised controversy in the Republican Party, but what is striking is that even some Democrats in key states have already distanced themselves from this initiative.
The midterm elections are getting closer, and the Democrats have a lot to lose. With a narrow majority in the House of Representatives and Kamala Harris breaking the Senate tie, the ruling party faces an uphill challenge heading into November.
In the first term, the president usually experiences significant losses in midterm elections, and Joe Biden appears to be no exception. Polls indicate that Nancy Pelosi will probably not be the Speaker of the House in 2023, although they also note an uncertain scenario in the Upper House.
Ryan, Cortez Masto, and Pappas distance themselves from Biden’s student debt cancellation
Rep. Tim Ryan (D) is one of the headliners of the second case, as he will go toe-to-toe with J.D. Vance for the seat that Sen. Rob Portman will vacate in Ohio. The Democrat quickly distanced himself from President Biden’s proposal facing the election.
“As someone who’s paying off my own family’s student loans, I know the costs of higher education are too high,” he began in a statement.
“And while there is no doubt that a college education should be about opening opportunities, waiving debt for those already on the trajectory to financial security sends the wrong message to the millions of Ohioans without a degree working just as hard to make ends meet,” Ryan assured.
Similar is the case of Catherine Cortez Masto, who will defend one of the most vulnerable seats currently held by Democrats in the Nevada Senate.
“I don’t agree with today’s executive action because it doesn’t address the root problems that make college unaffordable. We should be focusing on passing my legislation to expand Pell Grants for low-income students, target loan forgiveness for those in need, and make college more affordable for working families,” indicated the senator who will face Adam Laxalt in November.
Joining the list was Chris Pappas, who represents New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, which happens to be one of the GOP’s targets for the next election cycle.
“We all know that the cost of higher education is crushing families … but this announcement by President Biden is no way to make policy, sidesteps Congress and our oversight and fiscal responsibilities,” the congressman said of the president’s announcement.
“Any plan to address student debt should go through the legislative process, and it should be more targeted and paid for so it doesn’t add to the deficit,” Pappas added.
Joaquín Núñez es licenciado en comunicación periodística por la Universidad Católica Argentina. Se especializa en el escenario internacional y en la política nacional norteamericana. Confeso hincha de Racing Club de Avellaneda. Contacto: [email protected] // Joaquín Núñez has a degree in journalistic communication from the Universidad Católica Argentina. He specializes in the international scene and national American politics. Confessed fan of Racing Club of Avellaneda. Contact: [email protected]