Rep. García Leads Members of Congress in Demanding Answers from Education Department as Nearly 10 Million Student Loan Borrowers Face Default

September 4, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) led 27 of his colleagues in a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon demanding she provide answers and transparency about the growing federal student loan default crisis as nearly a record of 10 million borrowers enter default under the Trump Administration. The members warn that as millions of Americans struggle to keep up with student loan payments while also facing the rising costs of housing, food, healthcare and other basic necessities, the Department of Education, under Secretary McMahon’s leadership, has failed to protect borrowers as she focuses on dismantling the Department and undertaking big changes to the federal student loan system. The members also raised concerns about changes to federal repayment options enacted under H.R. 1. Several existing repayment plans are being phased out and they worry that these changes could result in higher monthly payments or reduce access to affordable repayment options for some borrowers. The Members emphasized that default can have serious and long lasting consequences for borrowers, including damaged credit, wage garnishment, seizure of tax refunds, and barriers to homeownership and economic mobility. These outcomes disproportionately affect low income borrowers, first-generation college students, borrowers of colors, and borrowers who attended institutions with historically lower completion rates. “Student loan default should not become an inevitable consequence of pursuing higher education,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter. “Borrowers deserve accurate information, meaningful assistance, and a fair opportunity to remain in good standing with their loans.” The letter is co-signed by Representatives: Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Judy Chu (CA-28), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Alma S. Adams (NC-12), Greg Casar (TX-35), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Summer L. Lee (PA-12), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Greg Landsman (OH-01), James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (VA-08), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Dave Min (CA-47). To read the letter, including the full list of questions Members are asking click here. ### Issues : Education