As the first set of Democratic candidates took the stage for the second round of presidential debates, some 2020 hopefuls criticized Sen. Bernie Sanders' (I-Vt.) plan to totally eliminate student loan debt by providing free college for all Americans.
During the debate, Sanders called for a political revolution to force Wall Street to pay for the crisis with a tax.
The "ultra-wealth tax" has gained steam among progressives in the race, like Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Because college costs are so high, Sanders argues, the wealth gap widens as most families are unable to pay for tuition. Therefore, his plan calls for the termination of student loan debt and would make two- and four-year public and tribal colleges and universities tuition-free and debt-free.
However, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg who, in the last debate said he and his husband have a "six-figure student debt," rejected Sanders's plan to terminate all debt throughout the U.S., even though it would presumably mean his own family's debt would be forgiven.
<i>Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., from left, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. / Photo Credit: Paul Sancya/AP/Shutterstock</i>
"That'd be great for us," Buttigieg said. "And then the next day there would be a student loan program and people would be out taking student loans wondering why they weren't lucky enough in timing to get theirs wiped away completely too."
Rather, the youngest candidate in the race proposed a plan to enact debt-free college for low- and middle-income students by expanding Pell Grants and "compelling states to pick up more of the burden." He also said he would open up access to a public service loan forgiveness program.
Like Buttigieg, former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke also disagreed with Sanders's plan for free college.
O'Rourke said he supports free two-year colleges, and debt-free four-year programs. He noted that his plan includes free board and books, a difference from other candidates' proposals.
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, has said that taking on student debt is personal; however, she is wary of whose debt should be forgiven.
"I want to make it easier for kids to go to college, and I think we do it by using our resources on the people that need it the most," Klobuchar said Tuesday night.
Klobuchar critiqued Sanders's plan that would pay for all Americans to attend college, including students who are not in need. "It would literally pay for wealthy kids, for Wall Street kids, to go to college for free," she said.
Rather than providing free college to all young adults, Klobuchar said she plans to refinance loans and expand repayments for teachers.
The only candidate to offer support for Sanders' plan was author Marianne Williamson, who said a candidate must focus on stimulating the economy: "The best thing to do to stimulate this economy is to get rid of this debt."
Warren spoke briefly about her plan to end student debt, which includes universal, tuition-free college for all kids, increased Pell Grants and increasing funding in historically black colleges and universities by $50 billion. "It cancels student loan debt for 95 percent of the kids with student loan debt, and helps close the black-white wealth gap in America," said Warren
For more on 2020 candidates' plan to fix the student loan debt, click here.
Katie Barlow, media editor at SCOTUSblog, joins Cheddar Politics to reflect on what happened at the Supreme Court in 2021 and what may be in store for 2022.
Gerren Keith Gaynor, managing editor of politics and Washington correspondent at The Grio, joins Cheddar Politics to discuss the progress President Biden made on his policy agenda in 2021, and what remains to be done in 2022.
Ayman Mohyeldin, host of MSNBC Original Podcast 'American Radical,' joins Cheddar News to discuss how the podcast chronicles a woman's path to the insurrection.
Following the attack on the Capitol last year, several major corporations promised to no longer pour funds into the campaigns of Republican lawmakers who supported the January 6 insurrection. But not all have stood firm on their word. Among those that did keep to their promise were Nike, American Express, and Walgreens.
Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H. 2nd District) joined Cheddar's "Between Bells" to reflect on the January 6 insurrection and her personal experience in the Capitol when rioters attempted to overtake the House chamber. "What I now understand to be true is that the mob of rioters had reached the third floor and was literally in the hallway running toward us as we ducked into the elevator," she told Cheddar. Kuster recalled the fear she felt, wondering what might have happened if the insurrectionists crossed paths with her group. Kuster noted that she has since received therapy to help cope with the traumatic event. "A thousand acts of courage saved our life and saved our democracy," she said.
Andy Kroll, Washington bureau chief at Rolling Stone, joined Cheddar's Baker Machado to discuss the anniversary of the January 6 insurrection and how it could impact upcoming elections. Kroll talked about whether or not Trump's influence will aid Republicans in the midterms and how it could be a setup for the former president to run in the 2024 presidential election. "This day has become really almost a kind of cause for Republican base voters," he said. "And you're going to see that fueling some turnout, you're going to see that fueling, even, candidates running for office in these midterm elections."
According to a recent analysis from ProPublica and the Wall Street Journal an analysis of Facebook posts, internal company documents, and interviews reveal key evidence about the social media giant's role in January 6 insurrection. National Reporter at ProPublica Craig Silverman, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
AT&T and Verizon have agreed to delay activating their 5G services for two weeks after Airlines for America, a lobbying group that represents American, Delta, and other airlines, filed a petition last week with the FCC to stop the deployment of 5G in the U.S. over concerns that the network can interfere with certain systems on airplanes. President Biden spoke out about it, saying it would avoid further delays and cancellations of flights. Light Reading 5G and Mobile Strategies Director Mike Dano joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
On a day where the Dow and Russell 2000 each closed more than 3% lower, Melissa Armo, founder and owner of The Stock Swoosh, says Wednesday's big sell-off could extend into after-hours trading. She joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell for more.
The new year has just gotten underway, but the clock is already ticking for the Democratic-led Congress to pass bills regulating big tech. Evan Greer, Director for Fight For the Future, joins Cheddar News to explain why Democratic lawmakers would want to push legislation now, and what a Republican takeover would mean for the industry.
