A federal judge in Texas on Thursday blocked President Joe Biden’s plan to provide millions of borrowers student-loan forgiveness, declaring it unconstitutional, in a blow to the president, who just saw debt-ridden young voters save his party from a ‘red wave’ in the midterm elections.
The program was already on hold as a federal appeals court in St. Louis considers a separate lawsuit by six states challenging it.
District Court Judge Mark Pittman, an appointee of former President Donald Trump based in Fort Worth, said the program usurped Congress’ power to make laws.
‘In this country, we are not ruled by an all-powerful executive with a pen and a phone. Instead, we are ruled by a Constitution that provides for three distinct and independent branches of government,’ Pittman wrote.
He added: ‘The Court is not blind to the current political division in our country. But it is fundamental to the survival of our Republic that the separation of powers as outlined in our Constitution be preserved.’
President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt relief at Delaware State University, Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, in Dover, Del. A U.S. judge in Texas on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2022, blocked Biden’s plan to provide millions of borrowers with up to $20,000 apiece in federal student-loan forgiveness. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
District Court Judge Mark Pittman, an appointee of former President Donald Trump based in Fort Worth, said the program usurped Congress’ power to make laws
The debt forgiveness plan would cancel $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 or households with less than $250,000 in income.
Pell Grant recipients, who typically demonstrate more financial need, would get an additional $10,000 in debt forgiven.
The cancellation applies to federal student loans used to attend undergraduate and graduate school, along with Parent Plus loans.
The decision comes after young voters and college graduates drove Biden’s Democratic Party to a better than expected performance in the midterms that may seen them retain control of the Senate.
Voters under the age of 30 chose Democrats in the midterms by a 63-35 margin, their largest percentage demographically and their largest victory, NBC News exit polls reported.
Voters under the age of 30 chose Democrats in the midterms by a 63-35 margin, their largest percentage demographically and their largest victory
Voters under the age of 30 chose Democrats in the midterms by a 63-35 margin, their largest percentage demographically and their largest victory
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden look on during a DNC post election event at the Howard Theater in Washington
Overall, voters under 45 chose Democrats by a margin of 55-42, with Dems losing everyone older by 10 points. Turnout among young voters was the second highest in the past 30 years, according to NPR.
About half of voters approved of Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, roughly the same as those who disapproved.
The Eighth US Circuit Court of Appeals had put the forgiveness plan on hold Oct. 21 while it considered an effort by the states of Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas and South Carolina to block the program.
While the stay temporarily stopped the administration from actually clearing debt, the White House has encouraged borrowers to continue applying for relief, saying the court order did not prevent applications or the review of applications. A
As of late October, more than 22 million borrowers had applied for debt relief.
The White House did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.