Last updated on September 25th, 2023 at 02:03 pm
Republicans should be trembling with fear as Sen. Bernie Sanders is praising former Sec. of State Hillary Clinton’s new expanded tuition-free college plan.
In response to the announcement of Clinton’s plan for tuition-free in-state public college and university attendance for those families earning under $125,000, Sen. Sanders said:
I want to take this opportunity to applaud Secretary Clinton for the very bold initiative she has just brought forth today for the financing of higher education. This proposal combines some of the strongest ideas she fought for during the campaign with some of the principles that I fought for. The final product is a result of the work of both campaigns.
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Let me be very clear. This proposal, when implemented, will revolutionize the funding of higher education in America, improve the economic future of our country and make life immediately better for tens of millions of people stuck with high levels of student debt.
This proposed legislation will provide free tuition at public colleges and universities for all families in America earning $125,000 a year or less – 83 percent of our families.
In other words, the dream of higher education in America will become a reality for all, regardless of the income of one’s family. This proposal will also provide very substantial relief for students and families carrying student debt.
In the year 2016, we should be encouraging our people to get the best education they can, not punishing them.
Our goal should be to have the best educated country in the world. In a highly-competitive global economy, it is insane that hundreds of thousands of bright young people are unable to afford the high cost of college and millions more leave school deeply in debt.
I thank Secretary Clinton for introducing this proposal which, in my view, will have a profound impact on the future of our country.
The expanded New College Compact is an outstanding compromise that combines the best of the Sanders free college for all plan and Clinton’s new college compact.
The Clinton campaign provided the details:
As president, Clinton would take executive action to offer a three-month moratorium on student loan payments to all federal loan borrowers. During this period, the Department of Education would provide dedicated assistance to every borrower so they would be able to consolidate their loans, enroll in income-based repayment plans and take direct advantage of opportunities to reduce monthly interest payments and fees. Borrowers who are delinquent or in default will receive additional rehabilitation options to help them get back on their feet.
Additionally, Clinton’s plan would eliminate college tuition for working families by saying that families with income up to $125,000 will pay no tuition at in-state public colleges and universities – which would cover more than 80 percent of all families. The plan will phase in, with families earning $85,000 a year or less immediately able to attend a four-year public college or university tuition-free upon enactment. The income threshold will increase by $10,000 a year each year over four years so that, by 2021, all students with a family income of $125,000 or less will have the opportunity to receive a college education tuition-free.
Donald Trump has no plan to make college more affordable.
What should terrify Republicans is that Democrats are growing stronger by the day. The ideas of Bernie Sanders are being adopted into the party, as his pieces of his political revolution are going mainstream.
Republicans should be shaking in their shoes because Sen. Sanders is bringing his supporters into the Democratic Party.
The combined forces of Clinton and Sanders are coming up with some great ideas, and no amount of build the wall chants may be able to slow the growing Democratic momentum.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
