One Rio Grande Valley congressman is working on a bill to reduce student debt.

Student loans have been temporarily relieved throughout the pandemic, but by the end of 2020 students will have to restart payments. 

Edith Martinez, a Rio Grande City resident said she needed that help and hopes for an extension. 

"I have been trying to pay my student loan for over 10 years now — for my graduate school and I've only been able to reduce it by $4,000 due to high interest rates," Martinez said. "Due to COVID-19 and my hours being decreased, it has really put a lot of stress on my family."

Congressman Vicente Gonzalez said it may be too soon for people to repay these loans. 

"What I think we should do is right off the bat if it's $25,000 or less take it off the books and relieve this young working population from this debt and if your rate is higher than that I think we need to look at it again," Gonzalez said. 

Gonzalez has introduced a bill that, if passed, would forgive student loans up to $25,000.

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