08.06.21

Chairman Scott Praises Biden-Harris Administration for Extending Pause on Student Loan Payments

WASHINGTON – Today, House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Biden-Harris Administration extended the pause on federal student loan payments and interest until January 31, 2022. In June, Chairman Scott and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) sent a letter urging President Biden to extend the pause, which was set to expire at the end of September.

“I applaud President Biden for providing desperately needed relief to federal student loan borrowers as we continue to fight the pandemic.  Since last March, the pause on student loan payments has provided a financial lifeline for millions of people who are struggling to cope with the economic fallout from the pandemic.

“Regrettably, even as we begin to turn the corner in our recovery, we are still more than 5 million jobs behind where we were at the start of the pandemic. Throwing federal student loan borrowers back into loan repayment this fall would affect millions of workers and families who are just starting to get back on their feet. 

“By extending this pause, the Biden-Harris Administration will help continue the momentum of our economic recovery and give student loan borrowers the time they need to boost their financial security before restarting loan repayment.”

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