Radical Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has been one of the leading voices demanding the “cancellation” of student debts.
Ocasio-Cortez has been actively calling for Democrat President Joe Biden to advance his taxpayer-funded student loan forgiveness plan.
However, AOC, who earns $174,000 per year salary as a member of Congress, owes the Department of Education up to $50,000 in student loans.
AOC’s debts were revealed in the congresswoman’s recent financial disclosure.
The filing shows that AOC owed the department between $15,000 and $50,000 for her student loans as of 2022.
That same year, Ocasio-Cortez led the call for the Biden administration to cancel thousands of dollars in loans for each student.
“Now would be a great time to cancel student loan debt, take significant climate action, and pass voting rights,” AOC posted on Twitter in May 2022.
She was responding to a Marist poll that showed President Joe Biden had a low approval rating among young adults.
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
AOC’s student loan debt was already known, however.
The lawmaker’s 2021 financial disclosure showed her holding up to $50,000 in liability, despite the congresswoman’s salary placing her in the top 5% earning bracket.
Biden revealed his student loan forgiveness plan in August 2022.
The plan uses taxpayer funds to forgive up to $20,000 worth of student loan debt for borrowers who make under $125,000 a year individually or $250,000 for married couples.
Although AOC celebrated the plan, she has been demanding more forgiveness for people who owe even more debt.
She argues that those with more debt, like herself, “need the most amount of help.”
“It was YOUR pushing, YOUR pressure, YOUR organizing that got them to this point,” she posted 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.”
AOC’s fellow “Squad” member Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) is among those who owe money.
Tlaib owes over $100,000 to the Department of Education for her law degree.
Tlaib pushed for the Biden administration to forgive at least $50,000 in student loan debt for individual borrowers last year.
“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 posted on Twitter last August.
“This is not the end, this is just the beginning when it comes to bringing opportunity and equity to all.”
