At a town hall hosted by CNN on Tuesday night, Biden expressed reluctance in forgiving up to $50,000 in federal student loans, saying, “I will not make that happen.” On Wednesday, Democratic leaders pushed back on Biden’s statement and said they will continue to pressure the US president on this subject.
During a CNN town hall on Tuesday, an attendee asked Biden about Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s proposal to cancel up to $50,000 in federal student debt per borrower.
“It depends on whether or not you go to a public university or a private university,” Biden said.
The president said he doesn’t want to forgive the debts of people who attended elite schools such as Harvard and Yale who often go on to make high salaries.
“I’m prepared to write off $10,000 debt, but not 50, because I don’t think I have the authority to do it by signing an executive order,” Biden said.
The president further said that families who make less than $125,000 and whose kids go to a state university should attend for free. He also expressed support for repaying debt as a portion of one’s salary.
