Biden called the cancellations “game-changing” before criticizing members of the Republican Party during remarks at the Congressional Black Foundation’s Phoenix Foundation Awards. “We can afford to cancel $10,000 in student debt and $20,000 if you had a Pell grant for Americans earning under $125,” Biden said. “I don’t want to hear a word from those members of Congress, you notice, whose families received $10,000 and many millions of dollars in loan forgiveness for pandemic relief, the very ones who are criticizing. Give me a break. Come.” Biden also hit out at Republicans who have tried to block other administration-backed legislation. AFP via Getty Images On Thursday, the White House announced it would not forgive debt from borrowers whose student loans are owned by private entities, as it faces multiple lawsuits from Republican attorneys general across the country. House Republicans could challenge the order next year to overturn the pardon if they win enough seats in Congress. Beined also took aim at Republicans who tried to block other legislation, including the Inflation Reduction Act and the George Floyd Policing Act, but specifically singled out their effort to keep price caps on prescription drugs. “The Republicans blocked it,” Biden said. “Imagine being the parent of a child with Type 1 Diabetes knowing that if you don’t take this medicine, if you don’t take this insulin, if you don’t take it on time, their health could be permanently damaged or they could die… It’s wrong!” Student loan borrowers hold a rally in front of the White House to celebrate President Biden for canceling student debt on August 25, 2022. Getty Images for We the 45m With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, Democrats allowed Medicare to negotiate drug prices for prescription drugs such as insulin, which was capped at $35 for out-of-pocket costs. Biden also trumpeted his support for the child tax credit and increased funding for small, minority-owned businesses. “We’re going to do all of this while reducing the deficit,” Biden said. “I’m sick of Republicans saying we’re the big spenders, give me a break. Give me a break.”
