The six states – Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Carolina – failed to establish they had standing, with the judge saying Thursday that 'the Court lacks jurisdiction to hear this case.' The states will appeal.
President Joe Biden officially kicked off the application process for his student debt cancellation program, announcing that 8 million borrowers had already applied for loan relief during the federal government's soft launch over the weekend. that broadly charged that President Joe Biden had acted beyond its authority in its plan to cancel student loan debt for millions of borrowers.
The federal government had responded to the suit by saying it could cancel debt under a 2003 law that allows it to pause or reduce borrowers' payments on their loans during national emergencies. And, it said, the states failed to prove they would suffer damage because of its debt cancellation. About 43 million people hold $1.6 trillion in federal student loans, and about 40 million are expected to qualify for Biden’s offer of one-time debt cancellation.
The hearing also centered around the federal government’s decision to trim the number of borrowers eligible for the program. Specifically, they cut borrowers with FFEL loans. They’re commercially held, but backed by the federal government, and borrowers holding these loans don’t qualify for debt relief. Prior to Sept. 29th, they had been able to consolidate these loans into balances owned by the Education Department, but the federal government has since barred that practice.
In responding to the federal government’s arguments, Autrey said no one had defined what qualified as a “national emergency” in the context of canceling student loan debt and asked Netter to clarify. When Netter didn’t, Autrey said Netter should be more familiar with what qualifies. The states also argued the federal government had options besides widespread debt cancellation.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Catholic bishop blasts Biden, GOP governors over immigrationThe chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ migration committee chastised the Biden administration and red state governors for their handling of immigration and called for all sides to collaborate on better treatment.
Read more »
Federal judge dismisses GOP states' challenge to Biden student debt relief programThe states had argued in court documents that the Biden administration does not have the legal authority to grant broad student loan forgiveness, as well as that the program would hurt them financially.
Read more »
Judge dismisses bid by six GOP-led states to block Biden’s student loan forgiveness planA federal judge in St. Louis on Thursday dismissed an effort by six Republican-led states to block the Biden administration’s plan to forgive student loan debt for tens of millions of Americans.
Read more »
House GOP preps bills for first 100 days if Republicans capture majorityHouse Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik says legislation on energy production, gun rights, and parents’ rights already has been drafted in expectation of the GOP taking the House majority in the midterm elections.
Read more »