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In August, Joe Biden announced his intention to cancel student debt through executive action. Since then, criticism has been pouring in from both sides of the political aisle. To the already large number of Democrats who have expressed their opposition, we must now add a new one: Joe Manchin.
Although the senator from West Virginia was critical in getting the White House to pass the Inflation Reduction Act through Congress, he disagreed with the president’s initiative.
“I just thought that it was excessive. I just respectfully disagree on that,” Manchin said of student debt cancellation through executive action.
“I think there’s other ways. When people were calling me from back in West Virginia, I would give them all the options they had that would reduce their loan by going to work in the federal government,” he added.
Manchin and Democrats against student debt cancellation
Manchin and Democrats against student debt cancellation.
The senator was not the only Democrat to criticize Biden’s intentions, as Tim Ryan, Chris Pappas, Catherine Cortez Masto, and even Nancy Pelosi followed suit.
While both Manchin and many Democrats in Congress came out against student debt cancellation, the fact is that Biden’s intentions leap over the Legislative Branch. Therefore, there is not much Senators, and Representatives can do to stop this potential executive order.
For example, Tim Ryan, who will be battling JD Vance for the Senate in Ohio, stated that “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.”
In addition, Cortez Masto stated that he disagrees with Biden “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.”
Meanwhile, Pappas, Congressman for New Hampshire’s 1st District, said, “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.”
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]