Rep. Omar To President Biden: Cancel Student Debt

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Ilhan Omar and seven other Democrats in Congress released a statement Wednesday urging President Joe Biden to federal cancel student debt.

The statement comes a day after the Biden administration again extended the pause on federal student loan payments.

"Last week, we led nearly 100 Members of Congress in urging the President to extend the pause on student loan payments," read a joint statement from senators Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer, Alex Padilla, and Raphael Warnock, and representatives Ilhan Omar, Pramila Jayapal, Ayanna Pressley, and James Clyburn.

"While the extension is welcome, a looming restart of student loan payments in September underscores the importance of swift executive action on meaningful student debt cancellation. We continue to implore the President to use his clear legal authority to cancel student debt, which will help narrow the racial wealth gap, boost our economic recovery, and demonstrate that this government is fighting for the people."

According to Omar's office, the Department of Education has the legal authority to cancel federal student loan debt and cancel up to $50,000 of debt for Federal student loan borrowers.

The canceling of $50,000 of student debt would benefit 36 million Americans, Omar said in January.