U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Howard is cosponsoring legislation to expand eligibility for student loan forgiveness to agriculture.

It is an excellent discussion to have regarding the student debt relief debate.

As Thompson notes, in an article in the weekend edition of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, we must “cultivate the next generation of farmers and ranchers…. without farm and ranch workers, our country will lose the ability to provide safe and affordable food to our citizens and the world.”

He’s right. The workforce of our agricultural sector is being depleted. We commend Thompson for looking for solutions to a problem on our nation’s horizon.

Moreover, the approach Thompson and his fellow legislators are taking on this bipartisan bill provides student debt relief to a critical sector of our workforce, at a fraction of the cost of the Biden Administration’s attempt to sidestep Congress on the issue, and through the appropriate process subject to transparent debate and compromise.

As we’ve frequently said. An issue as important and as potentially costly as student debt relief deserves these measures of transparency, debate and compromise. We also commend Thompson for pursuing a realistic solution the correct way.

— Williamsport Sun-Gazette