[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 8, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H1160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CONGRESS MUST ADDRESS STUDENT DEBT

  (Mr. ROBERT GARCIA of California asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. ROBERT GARCIA of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today as an 
educator who spent 10 years as a college instructor and administrator 
to support the President's student debt relief plan, which is now 
currently under threat by the Supreme Court.
  When I was in the classroom, I saw my students taking out loans to 
pay for basic needs like rent or food. We tell young people to get an 
education, to go to college, to work toward your chance at the American 
Dream, but for so many, that means taking out tens of thousands of 
dollars in student loans.
  Student loan debt also disproportionately impacts low-income 
students, and millions of students may not have access to financial 
training or advice.
  To this day, I am also paying off my student loans, and I have former 
students who continue to struggle with student debt years after they 
have graduated.
  Yes, we need to do more to address college affordability and access, 
but we must address student debt.
  If the Supreme Court takes the dangerous, irresponsible step of 
ending relief to student borrowers, then Congress has a duty to codify 
the President's debt relief plan and protect these 40 million 
Americans.

                          ____________________