Jayapal on the Department of Education Undoing Vital Protections for Student Borrowers: “A slap in the face”

SEATTLE – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal released the following statement in response to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’ decision to undo protections created by the Obama administration for student borrowers:

“Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’ decision to scrap policies protecting students from abusive loan servicers is a slap in the face to students across the country. The Department of Education should be focused on making it easier for hard-working students to afford college and achieve their dreams. This move is yet another example of how the Trump administration sides with corporations and against the public interest.

“I call on the Secretary to support the College For All Act, which would stop the federal government from profiting off of student loans, allow existing borrowers to refinance their student loans at lower interest rates, and make public college tuition-free for working families.”

Background:

The Obama administration issued a pair of memorandums (1, 2) in 2016 to protect student borrowers from abusive loan servicers, strengthen accountability and oversight, and make it less difficult for students burdened with debt to pay off their loans. On April 11, the current Secretary of Education formally withdrew the memos.

Note: Are you facing enormous student debt? I want to hear your story of how the high cost of college impacted your life and share it as we advocate for the College For All Act to make public colleges and universities tuition-free for working families. Please note that I plan to use your first name and the details in your story to illustrate the severity of our country’s student debt crisis in floor speeches, interviews, and other public forums. Constituents can share their stories with me by e-mailing Constituent Services Coordinator Raman Khanna at raman.khanna@mail.house.gov. Thank you.

Issues: Arts & Education