02.13.25

Ranking Member Scott Opposes Republican Proposal to Raise Student Loans Payments and Cut School Meal Programs

WASHINGTON – Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, spoke in opposition to House Republicans’ proposed budget.  Republicans’ budget cuts will likely target school meal programs and the student loan program.  These cuts, aimed at funding tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans, come at a time when millions of American families are struggling with rising prices for everyday essentials like eggs.

The Majority’s proposed cuts threaten critical programs like SNAP, which helps one in five children, and could impact the eligibility of nearly 16 million kids’ access to free school meals .  And cutting Summer EBT benefits would impact over 20 million hungry children.

“This budget resolution exemplifies my colleagues' willingness to betray the American people in the name of so-called fiscal responsibility,” said Ranking Member Scott.  “While some talk about deficits, Democrats are working to clean up the mess left by Republicans over the last six decades.”

The Republicans’ proposal could also raise student loan payments for current and future borrowers. Republicans are considering capping federal aid, leaving 50 percent of students without the support they need to afford college.  Republicans are also considering pushing unaffordable repayment plans, eliminating Parent PLUS and Graduate PLUS loans that primarily benefit Black families, ending the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.  And by rescinding the 90/10 and Borrower Defense regulations, they are threatening to expose students to predatory institutions and leave defrauded borrowers without relief.

“Democrats will continue to fight for the programs that families and students rely on to put food on the table and secure a better future,” Scott concluded.

To learn more about Republicans’ plan to ‘Make America Hungry Again,’ click here.

To learn more about Republicans’ plan to raise student loan payments, click here. 

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