Bernie Sanders applauded Hillary Clinton for altering her higher education plan to include “the best features” of the plan that he brought forward on the campaign trail.
“I want to take this opportunity to applaud Secretary Clinton for the very bold initiative she has just brought forth today for the financing of higher education,” Sanders wrote in a statement on Tuesday. “This proposal combines some of the strongest ideas she fought for during the campaign with some of the principles that I fought for. The final product is a result of the work of both campaigns.”
The new legislation proposed by the Clinton campaign would allow families with incomes under $125,000 to pay no tuition for in-state public colleges or universities. The legislation also promises a three-month moratorium on loan payments so that borrowers can lower their interest payments.
Although Clinton secured the necessary number of delegates to clinch the nomination one month ago, Sanders has remained in the race in an attempt to influence the Democratic Party platform. This new plan reflects a slight shift towards Sanders’ plan to make all public schools tuition free.
“In the year 2016, we should be encouraging our people to get the best education they can, not punishing them,” Sanders said in the statement.
“I thank Secretary Clinton for introducing this proposal which, in my view, will have a profound impact on the future of our country,” he concluded.
