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      People rally in support of President Joe Biden's student debt cancellation plan on August 25, 2022 in Washington, D.C.

      GOP Resolution to Block Student Debt Relief Would Have 'Ruinous Impact,' Report Warns

      "MAGA politicians... want to reinstate student debt previously canceled for more than 260,000 teachers, nurses, firefighters, and others," said AFT president Randi Weingarten. "It's an immoral clawback of the absolute worst kind."

      Kenny Stancil
      May 23, 2023

      As Republican leaders in the U.S. House prepare to hold a vote this week on legislation that would block President Joe Biden's pending student debt cancellation plan and reverse already-delivered relief, progressive advocacy groups on Tuesday warned of the "ruinous impact" the GOP's resolution threatens to have on millions of borrowers.

      Last year, Biden moved to erase up to $20,000 in student debt for millions of federal borrowers with individual incomes under $125,000 and to improve the income-driven repayment program. The White House's popular relief initiative is currently on hold as the U.S. Supreme Court considers a pair of right-wing challenges to it. A decision in the case is expected next month.

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      Student Debt
      Progressive Philadelphia mayoral candidate Helen Gym met with local educators at a campaign event on May 15, 2023, the day before the city's Democratic primary.

      Billionaire Spent Over $1 Million Trying to Defeat Public School Champion in Philly Mayoral Race

      Helen Gym's campaign manager has said charter school advocate Jeffrey Yass is "bankrolling a false smear campaign against the only candidate in the race with a real vision to invest in Philly's public schools."

      Jessica Corbett
      May 16, 2023

      Jeffrey Yass—Pennsylvania's richest man, a registered libertarian, and a charter school advocate—has given over $1 million to a group trying to convince Philadelphians not to vote for progressive mayoral candidate Helen Gym, a former teacher and public school supporter, in Tuesday's Democratic primary.

      Gym is one of nine candidates appearing on the Democratic ballot, though based on polling she is considered a top contender alongside two fellow former Philadelphia City Council members—Allan Domb and Cherelle Parker—as well as Jeff Brown, a supermarket chain founder, and Rebecca Rhynhart, Philly's ex-comptroller.

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      philadelphia mayoral election
      Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, speaks during a March for Our Lives rally on June 11, 2022 in Washington, D.C.

      Teachers Union Leader Calls for Defending Public Education From 'Dangerous' GOP Attacks

      "A great nation does not fear people being educated," said American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten.

      Kenny Stancil
      Mar 28, 2023

      American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten on Tuesday defended the egalitarian legacy and goals of public education and outlined a participatory plan to strengthen it nationwide as right-wing lawmakers intensify their long-standing assault on the institution.

      "Attacks on public education are not new," the leader of the 1.7 million-member union said in an address to the National Press Club. "The difference today is that the attacks are intended to destroy it. To make it a battlefield, a political cudgel."

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