Thread by @DebtCrisisOrg

STATEMENT: @JoeBiden’s comments on #studentdebt cancellation are concerning, but advocates remain committed to $50,000 or more in relief.

studentdebtcrisis.org/joe-biden-stud…

.@JoeBiden made his first comments Wednesday in response to the growing movement urging the President-elect to cancel $50,000 or more in #studentdebt using executive action.

Unfortunately, he inaccurately claimed that the President may not have the authority to free borrowers from debt through executive action and cast doubt over whether he would be willing to do so.

.@SenateDems and @HouseDemocrats recently passed resolutions laying out the legal framework for taking such action. Lawmakers point to the Higher Education Act as giving the President and the Secretary of Education broad authority to #cancelstudentdebt.

“Let’s be clear. The President does have the legal authority to #cancelstudentdebt. @JoeBiden cannot sit on the sidelines and leave millions of Americans crushed by debt during the #COVID19 pandemic when he has the power to act." @DebtCrisisOrg executive director @nataliaabrams

"@JoeBiden can – and must – take bold action to respond to the impacts of the pandemic, boost the downturned economy, and close the racial wealth gap.” @DebtCrisisOrg's @nataliaabrams on why the President-elect must #cancelstudentdebt.

“Yes, @JoeBiden’s comments are concerning but a comment is not policy. We will continue to build a broad coalition to push the Biden administration to cancel $50,000 or more in student debt in line with the resolution introduced by @SenSchumer and @SenWarren." @nataliaabrams

We are still optimistic that @JoeBiden will continue to listen to the diverse voices that joined this movement. In November, @DebtCrisisOrg was part of a coalition of 237 civil rights, consumer protection, veteran, and student organizations.

studentdebtcrisis.org/joe-biden-canc…

The letter urged President-elect @JoeBiden to use executive authority to #cancelstudentdebt immediately. The letter included support from @NAACP, @WeAreUnidosUS, @CRAdvocacy, @AFTunion, @CRLONLINE, @theSBPC, @RealBankReform, and many more.

Over 1.3 million @DebtCrisisOrg supporters have already signed the @MoveOn petition to #cancelstudentdebt to boost the economy and support families impacted by the #COVID19 pandemic.

sign.moveon.org/petitions/cong…

Over 137,000 people have signed the @DebtCrisisOrg petition to @JoeBiden to #cancelstudentdebt on Day One.

sign.moveon.org/petitions/tell…