Some Democrats call for canceling student debt amid pandemic

A handful of Democrats are calling to cancel some of the $1.6 trillion student debt crisis because of inequities that could be worsened by the coronavirus pandemic.

Reps. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, and Alma Adams of North Carolina sent a letter to House leaders Nancy Pelosi and Kevin McCarthy asking for student debt cancellation in future aid packages. The letter expresses that while the protections offered for federal loan borrowers have been helpful, long-term relief needs to be provided for 45 million people carrying student debt.