Radical Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has emerged as a prominent advocate for the “cancellation” of student debts.
Ocasio-Cortez has been actively urging Democratic President Joe Biden to implement his plan for taxpayer-funded student loan forgiveness.
However, despite her annual salary of $174,000 as a Congress member, AOC herself holds student loans owed to the Department of Education, ranging from $15,000 to $50,000, as per her recent financial disclosure.
This information regarding AOC’s indebtedness came to light through her financial disclosure report.
The report indicates that as of 2022, AOC carried a student loan debt of between $15,000 and $50,000 with the Department of Education.
In the same year, AOC led the charge for the Biden administration to cancel substantial amounts of student loan debt per individual.
Responding to a Marist poll that indicated President Joe Biden’s low approval rating among young adults, AOC tweeted in May 2022, “Now would be a great time to cancel student loan debt, take significant climate action, and pass voting rights.”
However, this was not the first time AOC’s student loan debt was made public.
Her financial disclosure for 2021 revealed her liability of up to $50,000 in student loans, despite her salary ranking her within the top 5% income bracket.
President Biden unveiled his student loan forgiveness plan in August 2022.
The proposal employs taxpayer funds to forgive up to $20,000 of student loan debt for individuals earning under $125,000 annually or $250,000 for married couples.
While AOC celebrated this plan, she continues to demand further forgiveness for individuals carrying even larger debt burdens.
She contends that those with higher debt levels, including herself, require more substantial assistance.
“It was YOUR pushing, YOUR pressure, YOUR organizing that got them to this point,” AOC shared on Instagram.
“I am very grateful for this watershed moment of a first step — it is so encouraging, thrilling, and has already changed SO many people’s lives.”
“But I am also thinking about how this still leaves a question mark for those in the highest amounts of debt, who need the most amount of help.”
“So let’s celebrate and keep going.”
Another member of AOC’s “Squad,” Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), also carries student loan debt.
Tlaib owes over $100,000 for her law degree to the Department of Education.
Last year, Tlaib advocated for the Biden administration to forgive at least $50,000 in student loan debt for individual borrowers.
“I will continue to push for education debt cancellation of $50K or more, and I know many people out on the streets will do the same,” Tlaib tweeted last August.
“This is not the end, this is just the beginning when it comes to bringing opportunity and equity to all.”
Now would be a great time to cancel student loan debt, take significant climate action, and pass voting rights. 👩🏽🎓🌎 🗳 https://t.co/M84l1XZfnt
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 31, 2022