President-elect Joe Biden called on Congress to immediately forgive $10,000 of student loan debt for all Americans, following through on a major campaign promise.

“Immediate $10,000 forgiveness of student loans,” Biden said. “They’re having to make choices between paying their student loan and paying the rent...It should be done immediately.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) have argued the President-elect could circumnavigate Congress through the Higher Education Act, which allows the president to cancel student loan debt with an executive order.

Student loan debt is exacerbating the crisis America is facing.

Today, @SenWarren and I are introducing a Senate resolution with a bold plan for how the next president can and should immediately #CancelStudentDebt.https://t.co/vb02CfMNmy

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) September 17, 2020

Teachers work their hearts out, especially during this pandemic – but they're underpaid, underfunded, and often crushed by student loans. I agree with @NEAToday: executive action to #CancelStudentDebt would lift a huge burden off teachers’ shoulders. https://t.co/MWnphhNlL4

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) December 1, 2020

Biden administration insiders told Fox News that the President-elect is against the notion of issuing an executive order, arguing that the decision should be made by Congress for the sake of the democratic process. On top of student loan forgiveness, Biden has laid out plans to make college tuition-free as part of a wider plan to make higher education more accessible.

Also, the total amount of debt to be forgiven is also up for debate. Plans have called for canceling up to $30,000 and even as high as all student loan debt, which Sen. Bernie Sanders has called for on multiple occasions.

The issue of student loan forgiveness and its possible solutions indicates a divide between various elements of the Democratic Party. Biden's approach is by far the most conservative when compared to propositions laid forth by Democratic lawmakers.

Whether this will become a source for argument within Biden's party certainly remains to be seen. If this indeed turns out to be the case, conservatives may be able to play off of the cracks occurring in the Democratic Party's platform.

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