U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) on July 23 unveiled bipartisan legislation that would forgive the student loans for public service workers whose employment may have been affected by the COVID–19 pandemic.
“Now more than ever, we need to support those who pursue careers that contribute to the health and well-being of the American people,” said Rep. Joyce, co-chair of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Caucus. “While the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many of our public servants to battle this virus on the front lines, others have been temporarily furloughed or laid-off.”
Rep. Joyce signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Protecting Access to Loan Forgiveness for Public Servants During the COVID-19 Pandemic Act, H.R. 7761, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and 16 other original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).
“I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill with Rep. Swalwell to ensure that the public servants whose livelihoods have been derailed by COVID-19 can stay on track to receive the loan forgiveness they have worked so hard for,” Rep. Joyce said.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act gave all federal student loan borrowers a break by requiring no payments from March 13 through September 30. During this period of forbearance, participants in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program are still able to count qualified payments toward their required total of 120, unless they have temporarily lost their public-sector jobs due to the pandemic.
If enacted, H.R. 7761 would ensure these workers can continue to count loan payments toward their total required for forgiveness under the PSLF Program provided they re-enter a public service job within six months after the end of the pandemic, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Joyce’s office.
The bill also would require the U.S. Secretary of Education to develop and make available guidance for those who are eligible for this emergency job disruption assistance, according to the bill summary.
The measure, which is supported by the National Education Association, among others, has been referred to the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee for consideration.