College affordability campaign timed with graduation season
Today Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) announced the launch of a new, aggressive DCCC campaign to hold Republicans accountable for voting against college affordability. The initiative – “Republican Accountability Project: Diplomas Not Debt” – will target vulnerable House Republicans as they participate in college and high school graduation events this spring.
Fresh off of voting for the Republican Conference budget, House Republicans who speak at commencements in their districts will be met with a concerted effort from the DCCC to highlight the significant cuts the Republican budget would make to critical Pell Grant funding, the newly-expanded “Pay as You Earn” program, and the American Opportunity Tax Credit. The campaign will entail a combination of paid and earned media on digital and traditional platforms, as well as surrogate activity in key districts.
“Graduation season is an exciting, hopeful time for students, yet the high cost of tuition and promise of massive student loan debt looms over too many hard-working families,” said DCCC Chairman Ben Ray Luján. “Instead of using their budget to help make college more accessible and affordable, House Republicans have prioritized tax breaks for special interests over funding for federal student grants and other programs. This campaign will help alert voters to the fact that House Republicans want graduates to be greeted with a mountain of debt at the end of the diploma receiving line.”
“As I talk to young Americans across the country, college affordability is an issue that comes up in every conversation,” said Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA), chair of the Future Forum. “As a member of this generation, I know all too well that the burden of student loan debt holds too many young Americans back from pursuing their goals – whether it be buying a home or starting a new business. I am encouraged that the DCCC is leading the charge to make sure House Republicans explain to voters why they voted for a budget that could make college even less affordable for students and families.”
“As someone who is still paying off student loans myself, I know that young voters expect and deserve real answers from their elected officials on how they addressing the national crisis in student loan debt,” said Representative Seth Moulton (D-MA). “The Republican budget’s cuts to federal student loan funding make it more difficult for Americans to go to school. Congress should be working to make college more affordable, not less.”
The “Diplomas Not Debt” campaign will focus especially on the DCCC’s “One Term Wonders” – a group of the 17 most vulnerable Republican freshmen.