Erica L. Green

The proposal would affect nearly 30 million people and would target groups that have had hardships in repaying their loans.

Some Muslim community leaders said it would be wrong to attend an iftar meal with President Biden while Gaza is under siege.

The president was speaking off the cuff to a lawmaker on the House chamber floor after delivering his State of the Union address.

The vice president urged Hamas to agree to a six-week cease-fire proposal currently on the table, and also called on Israel to increase the flow of aid into the enclave.