Chicago City Wire

WASHINGTON, DC- On June 21, Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) joined Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Nanette Barragán (CA-44), and Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) and Troy Carter (LA-02), at a press conference urging the Supreme Court to rule in favor of President Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan – which forgives up to $20,000 in student loan debt for up to 43 million student loan borrowers.

A video of the press conference can be found here. Congressman García’s remarks begin at the 26:42 mark

Photos can be found here.

Congressman García’s remarks as delivered:

“We are on June 21 asking the Court to declare its independence from special interests that have been corrupting the Court for years. Wealthy and well-connected special interests have corrupted this institution.

“But this is an opportunity to demonstrate independence from chartered private jets, from steak dinners, and luxury fishing expeditions paid for by a Republican mega-donor. And I'm not just talking about Clarence Thomas. I'm talking about Justice Alito.

“The billionaire, Paul Singer, who paid for these trips, donated huge sums of money to a group that opposes student debt relief — a group that literally filed an amicus brief asking the Court to block the President’s debt relief plan. This is corruption in the highest order.

“But this is an opportunity to re-instill confidence in the Court by doing the right thing and declaring that the President has the authority to provide badly needed relief to students and former students all over the country.

“These are the people deciding whether to strike down student debt relief for millions of Americans.

“Collectively, people in my state — in Illinois— hold $61 billion in student debt. Debt forgiveness can do wonders for the people of my state and the people from all the states that are represented here on June 21.

“When it comes to forgiving debt — or creating tax loopholes — for the wealthy, nobody bats an eye. But when it's something like providing student debt relief and letting working people have a moment to breathe, then it suddenly becomes a big no.

“That's why on June 21 I'm proud to stand with my colleagues asking the court to do the right thing, to stand for independence, for integrity, and relief for the American people.”

Original source can be found here.