Biden Faces Criticism From Democrats and Republicans Over Student Loan Relief Plan

One more Democratic lawmaker has voiced concerns about President Joe Biden’s plan to forgive student debt, while Republicans in Congress continue to speak out against the decision.

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), who is facing Republican nominee J.D. Vance in the Ohio Senate race in November, told CNN on Aug. 28 that Biden’s decision sent “the wrong message.”

“People are getting crushed with inflation, crushed with gas prices, food prices, and all the rest. And I think a targeted approach right now really does send the wrong message,” Ryan said.

Ryan added, “There’s a lot of people out there making 30, 40 grand a year that didn’t go to college, and they need help as well, which is why I have been proposing a tax cut for working people that will affect everybody.”

The Ohio lawmaker offered the alternative option of allowing student loan borrowers to negotiate lower interest rates.

“You could very easily allow them to negotiate—renegotiate down the interest rates,” Ryan continued. “Giving them an opportunity to renegotiate those down will put significant money in their pocket and I think relieve some of that burden.”

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) speaks at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, in Philadelphia, Pa., on July 28, 2016. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Biden announced the student loan debt relief on Aug. 24, saying that his administration would spend hundreds of billions of dollars to absorb up to $10,000 in outstanding student debt, for individuals earning less than $250,000 a year or $250,000 as a family. For Pell Grant recipients, the amount will be doubled to $20,000.

Other Democrats that have not fully endorsed Biden’s plan have included Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Rep. Sharice Davids (R-Kan.), Rep. Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), and Rep. Elissa