Let's Put Students Over Special Interests

Floor Speech

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Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, last year, the Republicans passed a corporate tax giveaway that adds $1.9 trillion to the deficit. I was proud to join all of my fellow Democrats in voting against that.

Today I am here to talk about a new bill I introduced, the Students Over Special Interests Act. It shows what we could have done with some of that $1.9 trillion.

I hear from constituents every day overwhelmed by student debt. For instance, Sam in Morrison, Colorado, a law enforcement officer, has been making student loan payments for years. Even at the age of 51, he has tens of thousands of dollars left.

What my Students Over Special Interests Act does is it forgives all student debt. That costs less than the Republican tax giveaway. In addition, it increases Pell funding and reduces the deficit.

Studies have shown that repealing student loan debt stimulates the economy, supports job growth, and takes something that is weighing down too many families.

After forgiving student debt and making college more affordable, my bill still costs less than the Republican tax giveaway that they passed into law. I encourage the House to take up the Students Over Special Interests bill.

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