Virginia’s Attorney General Mark Herring has joined a coalition of states led by New York and Massachusetts calling for the U.S. House and Senate to adopt resolutions that call for the cancellation of up to $50,000 in federal student debt.

“We therefore urge you to adopt Senate Resolution 46 and House Resolution 100 calling on President Biden to act swiftly and to discharge up to $50,000 in Federal student debt owed by each and every Federal student loan borrower,” the letter reads.

According to the letter, many borrowers already owed more than they originally borrowed and as many as one in five Federal student loan borrowers are in default.

“Hundreds of thousands of Virginians are suffering under the crippling weight of federal student loan debt, which in turn affects almost every other aspect of their lives,” said Attorney General Herring. “Black and Latinx communities in Virginia are particularly affected by the burden of student loan debt and giving them this relief could substantially increase their household income. Too often, a Virginian is held back in life because of student loan debt and it’s time they get the help they deserve.”


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By vascope