Education

“Despite these persistent examples of comments that others have called antisemitic and continued relationships with well-known antisemites, I have not heard one word of concern for my colleagues across the aisle. In fact, what we have seen is consolidation of support for the former president,” said Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), ranking member of the subcommittee.

“Many of my colleagues claim to care about the rise of antisemitism in this country, but when white supremacists marched in Charlottesville, Va., with burning torches and chanting, ‘Jews will not replace us,’ the president at the time, Donald Trump, said, ‘There were very fine people on both sides,’ ” said Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) She also pointed to Trump’s dining with a far-right activist who has promoted antisemitism.

Attendees at Monday’s discussion talked about what changes they would like to see with the federal government’s student loan system to make it work better for students. Accountability and simplification were the keywords thrown out again and again.

“It’s complicated and it should not be,” said Bonamici. “In the long term, I’m working hard to make the process work better for everyone and to make higher education affordable and debt-free.”

“I talk all the time with students who, even though they have enough (from various sources) to have their tuition covered, do not have enough to live on to pay their rent or go for food,” she said.

Along with financial aid, Bonamici has been a champion for adequate food and housing for college students. “Too many students are struggling with hunger and often times trying to learn without a stable home,” she said.