Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) recently made controversial comments regarding student loan relief, stating that it appeals to “young unemployed slackers smoking bongs.” Cruz praised the Supreme Court’s decision to reject President Joe Biden‘s plan for forgiving student loans, which would have provided up to $20,000 in debt relief.
Biden’s Student Loan Relief
Washington Examiner reported that Cruz argued that during the COVID-19 pandemic, some individuals chose not to work and thus found it difficult to pay their student loans. He criticized Democrats for sending the message to young people that they don’t have to work. He also mentioned universities as a constituency that benefits from student loans, referring to them as “entrenched pits of Marxism.”
Despite the Supreme Court‘s ruling, Biden launched another effort to forgive federal student loan debt using existing authority from the Higher Education Act. This move aims to create debt forgiveness regulations and utilize the power of the Education Department to “compromise, waive, or release loans.”
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 1 in 5 Americans carry student loans. The majority of borrowers fall within the 25 to 34 age range and have an average debt of $33,570.
Cruz suggested that one of the motivations behind the Biden administration’s student loan relief plan is to garner support from young voters. He argued that the student loan relief plan would negatively impact those who didn’t pursue a college degree, as well as various workers such as truck drivers, steelworkers, and union members.
Student Loan Relief Plan
Cruz highlighted the financial burden that the proposed plan would place on American families, estimating that every taxpayer would pay an average of $2,100 under Biden’s student loan relief plan.
Critics of Cruz argue that the Biden administration’s student loan relief plan challenges the limits of presidential power and the role of Congress in appropriating funds. Despite the differing opinions on student loan relief, the debate continues as lawmakers grapple with finding solutions that address the financial burdens faced by borrowers while balancing the economic implications for the country.
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