WATCH LIVE: Biden delivers update on student debt relief website with Education Secretary Cardona
PBS NewsHourMAR 15 2023
The Spin
Democratic narrative
While Republicans are filing lawsuits to deny citizens vital debt relief, the Biden admin. is both providing support and making it easy to obtain. Applying is quick, requires no login, and can be done with just a social security number, birthdate, phone number, and email address – so everyone eligible should apply as soon as they get a chance. This is a massive win for borrowers.
Republican narrative
The courts will decide whether this debt-relief plan is legal. But it doesn’t take a court to see how ripe for fraud this plan is, considering the administration’s attempt to make applying "quick and easy" has dropped all guardrails. Without requiring borrowers to provide supporting documents or even their federal borrower ID number, this already costly program’s price tag will explode once the fraudsters get their hands on it. The GOP's concern has been right all along.