Education Secretary Nominee Vows to Continue Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Under pressure from Senator Tim Kaine during her confirmation hearing on Thursday, Secretary of Education nominee Linda McMahon reaffirmed her commitment to continuing the government's Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF).
PSLF cancels student debt for government and nonprofit employees after 10 years of on-time payments. It has faced criticism from Republicans, who argue it is costly and benefits public sector workers at the expense of private sector employees.
Despite this opposition, McMahon stated, "Clearly there are programs that have already been passed by Congress that do, in fact, grant loan forgiveness for public service. We should honor those programs."
During Trump's first term, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos proposed eliminating PSLF entirely. However, the Biden administration has prioritized expanding the program, forgiving over 1 million borrowers' debts since 2021.
McMahon emphasized that PSLF will continue operating even if faced with opposition within the Trump administration. "Yes, because that's the law," she stated.
Under Biden, the Department of Education streamlined the program, making it easier for borrowers to qualify and apply. These changes would be complex and time-consuming to reverse.
However, advocates remain concerned about potential efforts by the Trump administration to slow down PSLF. Mike Pierce, executive director of the Student Borrower Protection Center, expressed concern that cuts to federal agencies could impact the program's functionality.
Despite these concerns, McMahon's commitment to continuing PSLF provides reassurance for public service workers seeking debt relief.