Judge dismisses suit from 6 GOP states aiming to block Biden student loan debt forgiveness plan
USA TodayDec 23, 2022
The Facts
On Thursday, SCOTUS refused to hear a Wisconsin taxpayers group’s attempt to block Biden’s student-loan forgiveness program while litigation against the program proceeds in a lower court. Justice Amy Coney Barrett issued the rejection.
Biden’s plan cancels $10K in debt for those earning less than $125K per year, or $250K as a household. Those who received Pell grants can have up to $20K forgiven. The plan is estimated to cost $379-$400B over the life of the program.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
There are so many problems with these lawsuits — starting with the fact that under the HEROES Act there’s no denying the Biden admin. has the authority to enact this plan. Then there’s the claim that having to pay taxes is the harmful reason for filing suit, which historically has been rejected by the courts. Republicans are clogging up the courts to stop Biden from celebrating a victory.
Republican narrative
One failed attempt to block Biden’s student-loan handout is far from the end of this story. There are several other legal challenges to this program, and eventually one of them will land at SCOTUS, where the 6-3 conservative majority will have its say. American taxpayers shouldn't have to bail out student borrowers.
