AFT’s Weingarten Celebrates Biden-Harris Administration’s Cancellation of Student Debt for 1 Million Public Service Workers

WASHINGTON-AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement after the White House announced a new milestone in its fight for borrowers' rights:

"From day one, the Biden-Harris administration has proudly stood up for public service workers shackled by student debt. The president firmly believes in the bipartisan promise of Public Service Loan Forgiveness-that those who dedicate their careers to helping others deserve debt relief after a decade of repayments. After Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos threw up barriers, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have shown in deeds, not just words, that they have borrowers' backs.

"Student debt has become a stranglehold on economic opportunity for a generation of strivers and dreamers. For AFT members like Kelly Beckford, the sense of relief to finally be free from its cruel burden is both life-changing and life-affirming-and we are so proud she was with the president to celebrate today's milestone.

"Public service workers-educators, firefighters, nurses, first responders and more-are the bedrock of the community. While others make it harder, the Biden-Harris administration understands that their work should be rewarded. And the AFT has fought to get to this point through our student debt clinics, our political advocacy, and by holding Betsy DeVos and predatory servicers MOHELA and Navient accountable in the courts.

"There is much more to be done, but today we give thanks on behalf of the tens of thousands of AFT members and their families who can breathe easier knowing someone is in their corner."

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The AFT represents 1.8 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.