The recently introduced HEALS Act does not offer adequate relief to young people and student loan borrowers, who are suffering disproportionately as as result of this crisis. As your constituent, I strongly urge you to consider the following priorities, which would directly impact millions of youth across the country, in the next COVID-19 relief package: Cancel Student Debt: Even prior to the COVID-19 crisis, the $1.7 trillion of existing student loan debt was already an extreme burden on young Americans, especially borrowers of color. The burden has only been exacerbated since this pandemic began. Related issues, including the inability for recent graduates to participate in the economy, the deep inequities for borrowers of color, the widening wealth gap, and an insurmountable debt-income burden are all worsening in light of COVID-19, and Congress must act now. I am calling for the direct cancellation of student debt, either all $1.7 trillion or a significant portion, at least $20,000 per borrower. While I appreciate the deferment offered in the CARES Act, the provision was simply not enough given borrowers will have to repay these loans in full when deferment expires in October. If Congress is serious about rebuilding the economy, it must cancel student debt. Student debt cancellation would allow 45 million Americans to help restart the economy and would level the playing field for students of color who have been disproportionately disenfranchised due to insurmountable student debt. Defund the Police, Reinvest in Youth Workforce and Education Programs: The police system in our country is not working. Racism, inadequate training, violence and brutality, and lack of accountability have undermined the legitimacy of law enforcement, and Americans--especially young Americans--are calling for a change. The billions of dollars the federal government pushes down to the states and locals via Department of Justice grants to hire and train more police––using the same failed tactics––would be better spent on youth workforce and education programs. For years, youth workforce programs within the Department of Labor and education programs within the Department of Education that help prepare young Americans for well-paying and high-skilled jobs have been severely underfunded. There is plenty of research that shows these programs help keep kids off the street and out of trouble. Rather than continuing to fund a violent and racist police force that causes severe detriment to the lives of young Americans, Congress should invest in programs that help close equity gaps, help prepare young adults for meaningful roles in the economy, and bridge racial tensions across communities. Examples of such programs include: YouthBuild, Career and Technical Education grants, Pell Grants, Work Study, SEOG, TRIO, and GEAR Up –– all are meant to support the education of low-income and first generation students so that they can enter the workforce after high school or after college. Include Additional Direct Cash Payments: The direct cash payments included in the CARES Act were crucial in offsetting severe economic hardship for many Americans, especially those who do not own equity in their homes or have savings to withstand this crisis. Given this pandemic is likely to continue beyond 6 months and will require families to make tough financial decisions, it is critical that Congress include additional direct cash payments in the next relief package. Young Americans are already facing extreme economic burdens including student debt, high rent, low savings, and low-income, and these direct payments are the only lifeline for many distressed individuals. Congress must ensure Americans are not forced to choose between missing rent payments or buying groceries––I urge you to include robust cash payments in the next relief package. Once again, I strongly urge you to consider the above priorities, and pass a stimulus bill that directly centers young people and student borrowers.

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The #HEALSAct does not offer adequate relief to young people and student loan borrowers, who are suffering disproportionately as as result of #COVID19. Send a letter to your reps telling them to include the priorities of young people in the next bill.

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