Vulnerable Democrats prepare to fend off attacks over Biden student debt plan

Source: The Hill | August 25, 2022 | Julia Manchester

President Biden’s student loan forgiveness announcement is throwing a curveball into the final months of campaigning for vulnerable Democrats.

Biden announced on Wednesday that borrowers earning less than $125,000 per year could see up to $10,000 of their federal student loans forgiven, with Pell Grant recipients seeing $20,000 canceled.

The move was widely praised, but it could also present a predicament for some Democrats in swing districts: It’s less money than many on the left had hoped for, but the announcement may also force them to answer questions about how it could impact inflation.

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Forgiving student loan debt was a common theme on the 2020 campaign trail, and progressives have been clamoring for Biden to take action since he took office. 

But the issue is also divisive. Thirty-four percent of respondents in a new CNBC poll said only those in need should have debt forgiven, while 32 percent say all of those with student loan debt should have it forgiven. Thirty percent say no debt should be forgiven.  

Republicans have already used the issue to hit moderate Democrats, seeking to tie them to their progressive colleagues in districts with decidedly centrist tilts.

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On Tuesday, as reports of the upcoming announcement began to emerge, the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee (NRCC) sought to tie Democratic Virginia Reps. Abigail Spanberger, Elaine Luria and Jennifer Wexton to the administration’s move.

“Will Elaine Luria, Abigail Spanberger and Jennifer Wexton condemn this irresponsible plan that will make inflation even worse?” an NRCC press release asked.

Spanberger and Luria are facing particularly contentious reelection bids, with the Cook Political Report rating their races as “toss-ups.”

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