AOC makes student loan payment, reveals college debt during congressional hearing

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made a student loan payment on Tuesday — and also revealed how much she still owes — while attending a congressional hearing on college debt.

“I literally made a student loan payment while I was sitting here at this chair, and I looked at my balance, and it was $20,237.16,” said the New York lawmaker. “I just made a payment that took me down to $19,000 so I feel really accomplished right now.”

Ocasio-Cortez, a Boston University graduate, was attending a House Financial Services Committee hearing on the estimated $1.5 trillion in student debt in the country. Consumer advocates, experts and public figures testified on different ways to bring the number down.

Ocasio-Cortez is one of nearly 70 members of Congress who are still paying off student loans for themselves or a dependent — with an average debt burden of $37,000. Eight lawmakers are said to have more than $100,000 in debt.

“I’m hearing people on this committee say it’s not our job,” Ocasio-Cortez said, referring to testimony from Republicans during the hearing. “This is our job.”