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BOYLE & PA DELEGATION CALL UPON PRESIDENT BIDEN TO EXTEND STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PERIOD

December 22, 2021

PRESS RELEASE: December 22, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) joined Representatives Conor Lamb (PA-17), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Susan Wild (PA-07), Matt Cartwright (PA-08) and Mike Doyle (PA-18) in calling on President Biden to extend the student loan payment moratorium, which was implemented due to the continued impact of the pandemic. Payments are currently set to resume on February 1, 2022.

"As someone who is still paying off tens of thousands of dollars of student loans myself, I'm well aware student loan debt was already a significant problem prior to the pandemic," said Boyle. "It would only have gotten worse if not for the decisive action of President Biden to hit the ‘pause button' on student loan repayment. This was a lifeline that saved millions from going into default, or worse. I proudly join my colleagues in urging President Biden to extend the moratorium."

"The pandemic has left too many people struggling to pay for basic necessities," said Lamb. "Pennsylvania is ranked number two in average debt held by graduates, and most student loan borrowers – including veterans– are not in a position to begin making payments. President Biden must extend the pause on student loan repayments until the pandemic is over."

"The pandemic isn't over, so the student loan payment pause shouldn't be over either. President Biden has the power to do this without the approval of the Senate, and I strongly urge him to announce a continuation of this pause soon," said Evans.

"During a time of economic crisis, the CARES Act temporarily relieved Pennsylvanians with student loans, but the pandemic is not over," said Dean. "Which is why I join my colleagues in imploring the Biden Administration to continue the pause on student loans payments to lift this heavy burden while our families and nation continue to confront the hardships of the pandemic."

"As the Omicron variant surges in the United States, it is clear the pandemic is far from over, and too many Americans are still struggling to cover basic expenses like rent, food, and child care," said Scanlon. "Resuming student loan payments in this moment — just as we are experiencing another spike in COVID-19 cases — will hurt families that are least able to navigate this ongoing crisis. We call upon President Biden to extend the pause on student loan repayments as the country tackles the latest surge and continues to recover."

"We are still in the midst of a deadly pandemic," said Houlahan. "Since it began two years ago, the pause on federal student loan payments has been a lifeline to borrowers in Pennsylvania, including veterans. This pause gives Americans the financial flexibility they need to pay for childcare, rent, health care bills, and other household expenditures. At a moment of uncertainty about the latest covid variant, I'm proud to join fellow veteran and colleague Rep. Conor Lamb in urging the Biden Administration to continue suspending student loan payments."

"With the pandemic still ongoing, student loan borrowers deserve the relief and peace of mind of an extended loan payment moratorium, especially as cases spike nationwide from the Omicron variant," said Wild. "I am glad to join my Pennsylvania colleagues in this effort."

"Extending the CARES Act's pause on required student loan payments will help students complete degrees and graduates get into the workforce as the country addresses the pandemic's continuing economic challenges. It will particularly help veterans with dependents who are managing educational debt," said Cartwright.

"Many Pennsylvanians are still unemployed or underemployed," said Doyle. "A lot of families are still struggling to get by financially. This winter, as we deal with the onslaught of the Omicron variant, is not the time for student loan payments to start back up. That's why I urged the President to extend the student loan payment moratorium."

"The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 provided relief to the millions of student loan borrowers across the country by pausing federal student loan payments. As you know, both your Administration and the previous administration extended the payment pause due to the continued widespread impact of the pandemic, but payments are set to resume on February 1, 2022. We write to urge that you extend the pause again, until the country is back on its feet and the national emergency has ended. As new variants emerge, impacting our recovery efforts, it is even more vital to ensure that we are protecting those who need it most," the lawmakers wrote.

Click here to view a copy of the letter.

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