DNC Chair Jaime Harrison released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down President Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan: 

“Today, the Supreme Court ruled against middle-class families and hardworking Americans when it struck down President Biden’s targeted student loan forgiveness plan that would have provided up to $20,000 in debt cancellation to Pell Grant recipients, and up to $10,000 in debt cancellation to non-Pell Grant recipients earning less than $125,000. 

“Like countless other first generation college students of color, I was a Pell Grant kid. For me, and so many others like me, a college education wouldn’t have even been possible without student loans. However, the reality is that the same loans that unlocked countless opportunities for us are also holding us back from building generational wealth, buying a home, saving up for retirement, or even opening up our own business. 

“First and foremost President Biden’s plan was all about fairness. It was about extending a hand to the millions of Americans who used education as a means to punch our ticket to the middle class. President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan was also a critical part of his economic vision to rebuild the economy from the bottom up and the middle out – not the top down. He made it clear that this plan would prioritize the middle class by providing families with breathing room as they dealt with the effects of the pandemic. 

“Make no mistake about it, this Supreme Court ruling is the product of a hypocritical, coordinated campaign by MAGA Republicans who did everything they could to deny this relief to hardworking Americans, including their very own constituents. These are the same MAGA Republicans who voted for a $2 trillion tax cut that mainly benefitted corporations and the wealthiest Americans. The same MAGA Republicans who criticized student loan forgiveness while businesses that they are associated with got their PPP loans forgiven. And the same MAGA Republicans who voted against critical investments in their communities, but are now taking the credit for President Biden’s economic accomplishments. 

“Fighting for the middle-class and hardworking Americans has been a cornerstone of President Biden’s first term as president. Since his first day in office, President Biden has been committed to ensuring that government delivers for working families. Despite today’s ruling, Democrats remain more committed than ever to fighting for the hardworking Americans that are the backbone of our country.”