Klobuchar Pushing For Solutions To Student Debt Crisis
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is addressing the growing economic crisis of debt from student loans. Right now, 40 million Americans hold $1.3 trillion in student loan debt.
Klobuchar hosted a forum in Washington Wednesday. It included Southwest Minnesota State University student Chelsey Jo Herrig, who worked all through college, but still faces $45,000 in loans when she graduates in December.
"We, the ones who are struggling with student debt, aren't able to give back to the economy," Herrig said. "We can't purchase a car, or a house."
Klobuchar agreed.
"If they are spending all their money on student loans because we haven't done a good enough job of keeping tuition down, or good enough job making the loans affordable, that's not going to be good for anyone," she said.
Part of Klobuchar's plan is to refinance their loans, which would bring interest rates down to 3.8 percent from the 7 to 9 percent many are paying now.