Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin spoke out against President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness plan on Tuesday, referring to the plan as excessive.
The plan forgives $10,000 for borrowers making less than $125,00 and forgives $20,000 in loans for Pell Grant recipients.
“I just thought that it was excessive," Manchin said of Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan. https://t.co/kIME6QyTWc
— The Hill (@thehill) September 6, 2022
"I just thought that it was excessive. I just respectfully disagree on that," Manchin said.
"I think there's other ways. When people were calling me from back in West Virginia, I would give them all the options they had that would reduce their loan by going to work in the federal government," he added.
Manchin joins Democrats slamming Biden's student loan plan: Senator criticizes 'excessive' student loan forgiveness that could cost up to $1trillion and says borrowers should have to EARN their debt relief
via https://t.co/iHZdWAFmOp https://t.co/8RKgVjQxeF— Hell on Heels 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 MAGA (@HellOnHeels2020) September 7, 2022
The pushback comes one week after the president's executive order that has led to controversy nationwide over the issue.
Many argue that the decision is beyond the president's authority. Others argue that the move forces taxpayers to pay for the responsibilities of others, leading to increased anger among many voters.