US House Rep Susan Davis' office issued the following:
Washington, September 19, 2019
In response to high levels of student borrowers being
rejected under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program,
Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53) held a hearing in her Higher Education
and Workforce Investment Subcommittee on the Trump Administration’s
failed implementation of PSLF. Davis chaired the hearing to provide to
look into why the Trump Administration has failed to implement
recommendations to improve the program and seek solutions to help
borrowers.
“The Executive Branch’s implementation of this law, which
was supported by both Democratic and Republican administrations, have
not lived to the high standard we should all except” said Chairwoman
Davis. “Our goal here today is not to just cast blame, but to
collectively make it easier for the public servants of this country to
take advantage of a promise made to them back in 2007.”
To encourage public service, Congress created the PSLF
program in 2007. Since then, there has been an increase in Americans
choosing to give back to their nation through public service. This
includes teachers, first responders, nurses, servicemembers, and many
more.
Unfortunately, the failure to properly implement the
program has resulted in thousands of public servants being denied the
benefit of loan forgiveness. In 2017, only 96 of 28,000 applicants
received loan forgiveness - 99 percent rejection rate.
Investigations by the Government Accountability Office
(GAO), including one requested this year by Davis and Education and
Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott, identified recommendations for
improvement, including better communication among stakeholders, a
standardized process, and better information for borrowers about the
program.
However, the administration has failed to put these recommendations into action.
Chairwoman Davis’s Opening Statement can found here.
Video of the subcommittee hearing can be found here.
