Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge Urges the U.S. Department of Education and other Federal Agencies to End Social Security Benefit Garnishment for Student Debt

Statement

n Thursday, October 22, Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11), Ranking Member of the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, delivered a letter urging the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the U.S. Social Security Administration to end the practice of garnishing Social Security benefits due to student loan debt. The Congresswoman was also joined by organizations representing more than 375,000 Americans who signed a petition in support of ending this practice.

"Garnishing Social Security benefits for student loan debt is a significant blow to our seniors, especially when a growing percentage of older Americans rely on the program as their sole source of income," said Congresswoman Fudge. "Social Security is not just another check for many Americans. It is an essential economic lifeline."

For many years, Social Security was one of the only benefits off-limits to garnishment for repaying federal student loan debt. This practice changed in the 1990s under a Republican-controlled Congress with the passage of the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996. Since 2002, the number of borrowers whose Social Security benefits are garnished has increased by 400 percent. This number will only continue to grow as more Americans reach retirement age with higher burdens of debt.

"American student loan debt has spiraled out of control. High interest rates and stagnant wages create additional obstacles to repayment," Congresswoman Fudge continued. "College and advanced training should be affordable, and not create a financial burden that continues into retirement. Our federal government should not punish Americans for striving for a better opportunity, or supporting children and other family members working hard to pursue their dreams."

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