Democratic President Joe Biden's job approval ratings increased after he announced his student loan relief plan.
His approval rating rose despite conservative critics arguing the student debt relief plan punished Americans who managed to avoid debt by paying off their student loans or never having any.
According to Quinnipiac University's national poll, 53% approved Biden's plan to cancel some federal student loan debt for Americans earning less than $125,000 a year.
\u201cone of his strongest policy areas: Americans 53 - 43 percent approve of Biden's plan to cancel some federal student loan debt for Americans earning less than $125,000 a year\nhttps://t.co/m8KJl8hxLS\u201d— Jennifer "Pro-privacy" Rubin (@Jennifer "Pro-privacy" Rubin) 1661973505
Under the historic initiative, some eligible borrowers are forgiven $10,000 in federal student loan debt.
Qualifying borrowers who received a federal Pell grant while enrolled in college are eligible for up to $20,000 in debt forgiveness.
Wednesday's Economist-YouGov poll also revealed Americans favored Biden's student debt relief initiative, with 51% of respondents supporting student loan debt cancellation, while 39% opposed the initiative.
\u201cNEW: The latest Economist/YouGov poll shows that half of Americans (51%) support the federal government canceling up to $10,000 in federal student loans for those who earn less than $125K a year.\n\nThat includes 49% of people whose prior student loans are paid off.\n\n\ud83e\uddf5 (1/3)\u201d— YouGov America (@YouGov America) 1661971527
\u201c@people4kam Finally. People are starting to pay attention.\u201d— United for The People (@United for The People) 1661969320
\u201c@WHCOS Let\u2019s bring it home in November!\u201d— Ronald Klain (@Ronald Klain) 1661973149
The poll additionally showed 80% of respondents who owe on student loans supported the Biden Administration while 51% of who paid off their loans disagreed.
Out of the respondents who never had student loan debt, 43% disagreed with the President's relief initiative.
Opinions were split by political party, with 80% of Democratic respondents supporting the student loan debt cancellation, while 71% of Republicans opposed it.
Independents were divided, with 44% supporting the plan and 42% opposing it.
None— Jennifer "Pro-privacy" Rubin (@Jennifer "Pro-privacy" Rubin) 1661973505
Quinnipiac University's poll showed that 88% of Democrats and 53% of Independents favored Biden's plan, while 81% of Republicans disapproved.
Biden's plan was met with criticism on both sides of the political aisle, with the right arguing he was punishing Americans who paid off their student loans and the left expressing disappointment he did not do more.
\u201c@JRubinBlogger If he legalized weed, it would be his second-strongest policy area.\u201d— Jennifer "Pro-privacy" Rubin (@Jennifer "Pro-privacy" Rubin) 1661973505
Still, Biden's sweeping plan on student loans is being lauded as a fulfilled campaign promise benefitting millions of current and future American borrowers.
During a speech at the White House, Biden acknowledged there would be mixed reactions to his plan.
"I understand not everything I'm announcing is going to make everybody happy," he said.
"Some think it's too much—I find it interesting how some of my Republican friends who voted for those tax cuts think we shouldn't be helping these folks."
"Some think it's too little, but I believe my plan is responsible and fair. It focuses the benefit of middle-class and working families, it helps both current and future borrowers and it'll fix a badly broken system."