Congressman Clyburn joins lawmakers calling on Biden to extend pause and cancel student debt

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - On Thursday Congressman James E. Clyburn joined other lawmakers in urging President Joe Biden to extend the pause on student loan payments. The letter is asking the administration to continue the pause until at least the end of 2022 and to work towards cancelling student debt.

Student loan payments have been on pause during the pandemic. They were scheduled to resume earlier this year but the administration extended it until May due to the COVID Omicron surge. The letter says in part,

"Given the fast-approaching deadline for borrowers to resume payments, your administration must act as quickly as possible to extend the pause and make clear to the American public your intention to cancel a meaningful amount of student debt. We look forward to supporting your administration in getting it done."

The lawmakers argue that the payment pause in the pandemic has helped families during the crisis. They say many borrowers are not ready to resume payments amid lost jobs and additional financial pressures.

Joining the letter are:

Sylvia R. Garcia (D-Texas), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.), Paul D. Tonko (D-N.Y.), Troy A. Carter (D-La.), G. K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr (D-Ga.),