Could it be that many in DC benefited from that free money, and are also benefitting from the status quo of unaffordable education?
And the obvious answer is that the COVID era loans being discussed were designed from the beginning to be forgiven if certain conditions were met. Those that accepted the loans did so with that understanding. Student loans are also issued under specific terms which those that accept the loans agree to. In both cases the government is living up to the terms of the loans when issued and expecting the borrowers to do the same.