Ocasio-Cortez claims new student-loan rule harms women-focused majors
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez accused the Trump administration of targeting college programs dominated by women with a new Department of Education loan rule.
During a town-hall event in Escanaba, Michigan, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez asserted that the Trump administration’s Department of Education rule threatens women’s access to higher education. The rule, announced in June, requires undergraduate programs to prove graduates earn more than non-college earners and graduate programs to show earnings above a bachelor’s degree, or they lose federal loan eligibility. Ocasio-Cortez pointed to nursing, teaching and social work as examples of women-heavy occupations that could be affected.
She linked the policy to broader concerns about debt and community impact, referencing her Bronx background and local health challenges. The Department of Education replied on X, denying any program bans and framing the measure as consumer protection against low-return degrees. Ocasio-Cortez also called for free tuition at public universities and interest-free loans regardless of field of study.
Why it matters
The rule could limit federal loan access for many women-dominated majors, affecting student debt and workforce composition.
How this story developed
- Sep 24 Collins holds narrow lead over Jackson in latest Maine Senate poll
- Sep 24 Donald Trump's net approval rating fell to minus 22.4 in Nate Silver’s tracker, the lowest point of any president at this stage since 1945.
- Sep 28 Columnist Joe Concha says Democratic Senate candidate Abdul el Sayed is trying to please both pro-Palestinian voters and broader Michigan constituents, even if it means compromising his principles.
- Oct 3 A Rasmussen Reports poll now shows El‑Sayed leading Rogers 47% to 44%.
- Oct 6 The first debate between Collins and Jackson is scheduled for Oct. 6.
- Oct 7 The first debate was held, with both candidates trading barbs and no clear winner emerging.
- Oct 9 The first televised debate between the Michigan Senate hopefuls was held Thursday night.
- Oct 9 Republican Mike Rogers accused Democrat Abdul El-Sayed’s mother of working for a charity linked to a designated terrorist group during a Michigan Senate debate.
- Oct 9 A debate between Graham and Andrews is scheduled for October 11.
- Oct 10 Trump posted on Truth Social after the debate, claiming Rogers completely dominated and calling El‑Sayed a jihadist lunatic.
- Oct 11 President Trump announced a seven‑state rally tour starting on Oct. 1 ahead of the midterm elections.
- Oct 14 Former President Barack Obama released a video endorsement for Troy Jackson.
- Oct 16 El‑Sayed publicly denied any Muslim Brotherhood connections on live television.
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