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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Hundreds of millions of dollars worth of federal student debt contracted by tens of thousands of disabled military veterans will be wiped out under a directive signed by President Donald Trump.
Trump ordered the Department of Education to "remove every penny of federal student loan debt" contracted by US veterans totally and permanently disabled.
Trump said they would not pay federal income tax on canceled debt and called on states to waive the tax on their loans.
America, he said, owes its heroes "a supreme debt of gratitude".
Trump's announcement at the AMVETS National Convention in Louisville received strong applause from the crowd of more than 2,500 veterans. He signed the directive after speaking at the rally.
Only about half of the approximately 50,000 disabled veterans who are eligible for cancellation of their federal student loan debt have received the allowance, and the administration assigns them a "tedious" application process. .
The document calls on the government to put in place an expedited process so that veterans can pay their debt "with minimal burden."
The action will erase an average of $ 30,000 of debt from over 25,000 eligible veterans, said Trump, calling them "incredible people" who have made the "ultimate sacrifice, in many ways, for our country" .
"He's gone forever," said Trump.
Trump also used his appearance to highlight the steps taken by the administration to strengthen the military, including increased spending and new equipment. He also discussed the administration's commitment to veterans, including helping them access health care, reducing opioid addiction and minimizing suicides among people who were no longer in uniform.
Trump said the administration was "determined to do everything in its power" to end suicide among veterans. About 20 veterans end their lives every day.
Trump promoted the drug Spravato, a new Johnson & Johnson nasal spray approved for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression. He added that he had asked his administration to get as much medication as possible from New Jersey's consumer products company.
Trump said that Johnson & Johnson had done so well and "earned so much money" that they "should give it to us for free".
Johnson & Johnson said in a statement that it was discussing with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other payers to ensure "affordable access" to Spravato for use in patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression. The drug is sold to the federal government at reduced prices, the company said.
After the speech, Trump went to a nearby hotel to organize a fundraiser for Republican Governor Matt Bevin, who wants to be re-elected against Attorney General Andy Beshear as part of the upcoming election. November.
Bevin, who plays with Trump for a second term, quickly boarded Air Force One after landing in Louisville to be photographed as he accompanied Trump aboard the presidential plane.
Trump recently promised to hold a campaign rally for Bevin and said Wednesday that Bevin "was a very great governor". Trump's re-election campaign has not announced a date for a rally in Kentucky.
Trump also spoke with enthusiasm of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, praising Kentucky Republican "outstanding work" for bringing the GOP-controlled Senate to confirm Trump's appointment of trustees to federal judges.
McConnell wants to be re-elected for a seventh term in the Senate next year and faces a daunting challenge from Democrat Amy McGrath.
Trump said he would return to Kentucky to strengthen both candidates.
"I'll be campaigning here for Mitch and I'll be campaigning here for Matt, and we'll get them both back," Trump said.
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