ATLANTA – Today, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) issued the following statement after President Joe Biden announced announced that the Department of Education is extending the pause on student loan repayment, interest, and collections through 2022, providing up to $20,000 in debt cancellation to Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 in debt cancellation to non-Pell Grant recipients, and capping the amount borrowers would pay monthly for undergraduate loans at 5 percent of their income: 

“I welcome today’s announcement because I have been fighting to cancel student loan debt for all my constituents. Far too many constituents tell me that due to student loan debt, instead of achieving the American dream, they are living an American nightmare. While this announcement is an important step, it cannot be the last step to bring relief to the 44.7 million student-loan-debt-burdened Americans. In recent years, we’ve seen how people benefit if the federal government suspends collecting student loan payments. After today’s announcement, I will keep pushing for more student loan debt cancelation and legislative action on bills like my Clean Slate Series to ensure everyone has the opportunity to share in the promise of America.”

CONTACT: PressGA05@mail.house.gov 

Congresswoman Nikema Williams proudly serves Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District. Congresswoman Williams serves on the exclusive Financial Services Committee where she is Vice Chair of the Oversight and Investigations subcommittee, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the Select Committee for the Modernization of Congress. She is Freshman Class President and Co-Chairs the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus. Congresswoman Williams builds on the Fifth District’s legacy as the cradle of the civil rights movement as a champion of voting rights, closing the racial wealth gap, and ensuring the promise of America for all–regardless of their ZIP code or bank account.

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