Student Loan Forgiveness: A Shifting Political Landscape
In April, President Joe Biden made headlines in Wisconsin with his ambitious plan to cancel student loans, aiming to relieve over 30 million Americans. However, the political climate surrounding student loan forgiveness has shifted dramatically.
Vice President Kamala Harris, now the Democratic presidential nominee, has largely avoided the topic in her campaign. Her platform mentions student loans only briefly, focusing instead on policies for those without college degrees. “For far too long, our nation has encouraged only one path to success: a four-year college degree,” Harris declared in September in Pennsylvania. “Our nation needs to recognize the value of other paths.”
Student loan cancellation, once a rallying cry for Democrats, has become contentious. Republicans criticize it as favoring elites at the expense of those who have repaid their loans or skipped college. During a recent debate, former President Donald Trump criticized Harris and Biden for failing to deliver on their cancellation promises, branding it a “total catastrophe.”
Legal Challenges Stall Biden’s Forgiveness Plans
Biden’s efforts to implement sweeping student loan forgiveness have faced legal obstacles. Initially doubtful about its legality, Biden adopted the policy under pressure from progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders. Legal challenges from Republican-led states have thwarted multiple attempts, leaving roughly 42 million borrowers uncertain about their futures.
The Supreme Court blocked Biden’s initial plan to cancel up to $20,000 in debt. Subsequent attempts have also been halted by federal courts. Most recently, the Biden administration launched another attempt targeting borrowers under severe financial strain, but its future remains unclear just days before the November 5 election.
Michelle Dimino from the centrist think tank Third Way suggests that legal uncertainty has led Harris to downplay cancellation in her campaign. “There’s not too much new she can offer before we know what will happen in the courts,” Dimino noted.
Harris and Trump Champion Non-College Paths
While Harris has not detailed a student loan cancellation plan, her campaign emphasizes support for workers without degrees. At a Pennsylvania event, she advocated for removing unnecessary degree requirements for federal jobs, a stance resonating with both Republican and Democratic voters.
Similarly, Trump’s platform promotes affordable alternatives to four-year degrees, though he opposes loan cancellation, calling it illegal. His campaign promises “real solutions to make education, housing, and the cost of living affordable again for young people,” according to spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
Despite these positions, some advocates question their effectiveness. “Trump is proud of his work to hurt working families,” said Melissa Byrne, a political organizer supporting loan forgiveness.
Uncertain Future for Loan Cancellation
Harris has a history of tackling student debt, notably targeting for-profit colleges as California’s attorney general. Her presidential campaign in 2019 proposed limited relief for Pell Grant recipients starting businesses in disadvantaged areas.
Recently, the Biden administration reported canceling loans for over 1 million public service workers, an achievement Harris praised as part of ongoing efforts to make higher education more affordable. Aissa Canchola Bañez from Protect Borrowers Action believes Harris would continue Biden’s relief efforts, emphasizing her long-standing commitment to the issue.
