AFT’s Weingarten Slams Far-Right Legal Attack on Student Loan Forgiveness

WASHINGTON—American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement after a district court judge struck down the Biden administration’s student debt relief policy following a lawsuit from fringe special interests:

“This bad-faith lawsuit brought by far-right extremists is a full-frontal attack on young people’s futures. It is shameful, but not surprising, that a federal judge would side with the MAGA Republicans who appointed him, rather than the 26 million borrowers who have applied for life-changing loan forgiveness. And it is telling that the special interests fighting forgiveness in this case were nowhere to be seen when President Trump suspended payments at the height of the pandemic.

“The Biden administration is committed to securing relief for the tens of millions of families struggling under the yoke of $1.7 trillion in student debt. Debt discharge was enacted by the president in concert with reforms to Public Service Loan Forgiveness and a suite of other measures. Alongside an appeal in this case, the administration should also consider further mechanisms to promote fairness, including a delay in the resumption of loan payments next year.

“Young people across the country are eagerly awaiting the breathing room—and the resumption of their lives—that student debt relief would bring. Many sent that message at the ballot box on Tuesday. Together, we must stare down this wave of legal and political assaults and honor our commitment to borrowers as they regain their financial footing.”