NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A close look at campaign contributions from higher education showed President Biden and other Democrats funneled tens of millions of dollars into their campaign coffers from the industry during the 2020 election cycle, as well as in 2022.
According to OpenSecrets, a group that tracks money in U.S. politics, Biden received more than $64.5 million from individuals in higher education during his 2020 presidential campaign, while Democrats as a whole have raked in at least 70% of all political donations from the industry since 2002.
Fox News Digital’s research into the higher education industry’s financial ties to the Democratic Party comes on the heels of Biden’s announcement Wednesday that he will cancel $10,000 of federal student loan debt for certain borrowers making less than $125,000 per year and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients, while extending the pause on federal student loan payments through the end of the year.
President Biden speaks about inflation and supply chain issues in Los Angeles.
(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
In 2020, the top 20 recipients of political donations from higher education were all Democrats except former President Donald Trump, who came in at No. 5 on the list with just over $8.8 million.
HARVARD PROFESSOR PUMMELED ONLINE FOR TWEET THANKING BIDEN FOR STUDENT LOAN HANDOUT
In this Feb. 25, 2020, file photo, Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., left, and Joe Biden talk before a Democratic presidential primary debate in Charleston, S.C.
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Biden’s $64.5 million placed him at the top of the list, followed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., with over $17.1 million and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., with over $11.6 million. All three have been staunch proponents of some level of student loan debt cancellation.
Democrats continue to lead the pack in the current campaign cycle for November’s midterm elections, with no Republican candidate breaking into the top 20 list of higher education donation recipients.
Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., took in the most with over $2.2 million, followed by Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., with just over $1 million, and Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., with more than $600,000. Far-left “Squad” member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., rounded out the list with more than $230,000.
U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., speaks at the Manchester Democratic City Committee Flag Day Dinner in Manchester, N.H., June 14, 2019.
(REUTERS/Brian Snyder)
Biden was immediately hit with sharp criticism over his student loan handout announcement, including from some Democrats.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., who is facing a tough re-election campaign, rebuked Biden over the plan, arguing it didn’t actually address the problem of affordability when it came to attending a college or university. Pappas also stressed that such an action should be taken at the legislative level, rather than through executive action.
Fox News’ Brook Singman contributed to this report.
