SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) speaks at a student loan forgiveness rally near the White House on April 27, 2022 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Sen. Bernie Sanders on Sunday mocked the GOP over its sustained meltdown in the wake of President Joe Biden's plan for student debt cancellation, noting that he never hears "any of these Republicans squawking when we give massive tax breaks to billionaires."
In response to GOP claims that forgiveness of $10,000 in student debt for most borrowers would be "unfair," the Vermont senator told ABC's George Stephanopoulos that "60% of the benefits go to people who are on Pell Grants" and "87% of the benefits go to people making $75,000 a year [or less]."
"I know it is shocking, George, to some Republicans that the government actually on occasion does something to benefit working families and low-income people," Sanders said. "I don't hear any of these Republicans squawking when we give massive tax breaks to billionaires, when we have an effective tax rate today such that the 1% have a lower effective tax rate than working people, where major corporations in a given year don't pay a nickel in federal taxes."
"That's OK," Sanders continued, deriding the GOP position, "but suddenly when we do something for working people, it is a terrible idea."
Watch:
\u201c"I don\u2019t hear any of these Republicans squawking when we give massive tax breaks to billionaires." \n\nSen. Bernie Sanders tells @GStephanopoulos that Pres. Biden's student loan forgiveness plan will benefit working families. https://t.co/lnRUL5Gg8o\u201d— ABC News Politics (@ABC News Politics) 1661694126
The Education Department is planning to release the application for student debt relief in early October, and the White House is recommending that eligible borrowers--including Pell Grant recipients and other borrowers who make less than $125,000 a year--apply by November 15 to receive relief before the end of the year, when the loan repayment freeze is set to expire.
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Sen. Bernie Sanders on Sunday mocked the GOP over its sustained meltdown in the wake of President Joe Biden's plan for student debt cancellation, noting that he never hears "any of these Republicans squawking when we give massive tax breaks to billionaires."
In response to GOP claims that forgiveness of $10,000 in student debt for most borrowers would be "unfair," the Vermont senator told ABC's George Stephanopoulos that "60% of the benefits go to people who are on Pell Grants" and "87% of the benefits go to people making $75,000 a year [or less]."
"I know it is shocking, George, to some Republicans that the government actually on occasion does something to benefit working families and low-income people," Sanders said. "I don't hear any of these Republicans squawking when we give massive tax breaks to billionaires, when we have an effective tax rate today such that the 1% have a lower effective tax rate than working people, where major corporations in a given year don't pay a nickel in federal taxes."
"That's OK," Sanders continued, deriding the GOP position, "but suddenly when we do something for working people, it is a terrible idea."
Watch:
\u201c"I don\u2019t hear any of these Republicans squawking when we give massive tax breaks to billionaires." \n\nSen. Bernie Sanders tells @GStephanopoulos that Pres. Biden's student loan forgiveness plan will benefit working families. https://t.co/lnRUL5Gg8o\u201d— ABC News Politics (@ABC News Politics) 1661694126
The Education Department is planning to release the application for student debt relief in early October, and the White House is recommending that eligible borrowers--including Pell Grant recipients and other borrowers who make less than $125,000 a year--apply by November 15 to receive relief before the end of the year, when the loan repayment freeze is set to expire.
Sen. Bernie Sanders on Sunday mocked the GOP over its sustained meltdown in the wake of President Joe Biden's plan for student debt cancellation, noting that he never hears "any of these Republicans squawking when we give massive tax breaks to billionaires."
In response to GOP claims that forgiveness of $10,000 in student debt for most borrowers would be "unfair," the Vermont senator told ABC's George Stephanopoulos that "60% of the benefits go to people who are on Pell Grants" and "87% of the benefits go to people making $75,000 a year [or less]."
"I know it is shocking, George, to some Republicans that the government actually on occasion does something to benefit working families and low-income people," Sanders said. "I don't hear any of these Republicans squawking when we give massive tax breaks to billionaires, when we have an effective tax rate today such that the 1% have a lower effective tax rate than working people, where major corporations in a given year don't pay a nickel in federal taxes."
"That's OK," Sanders continued, deriding the GOP position, "but suddenly when we do something for working people, it is a terrible idea."
Watch:
\u201c"I don\u2019t hear any of these Republicans squawking when we give massive tax breaks to billionaires." \n\nSen. Bernie Sanders tells @GStephanopoulos that Pres. Biden's student loan forgiveness plan will benefit working families. https://t.co/lnRUL5Gg8o\u201d— ABC News Politics (@ABC News Politics) 1661694126
The Education Department is planning to release the application for student debt relief in early October, and the White House is recommending that eligible borrowers--including Pell Grant recipients and other borrowers who make less than $125,000 a year--apply by November 15 to receive relief before the end of the year, when the loan repayment freeze is set to expire.