Headline RoundupNovember 11th, 2022

Federal Judge Says Biden's Student Loan Forgiveness Plan is Illegal

Summary from the AllSides News Team

A federal judge ruled Thursday that President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness plan is illegal.

Key Quotes: In his decision, U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman of the Northern District of Texas wrote that "the HEROES Act—a law to provide loan assistance to military personnel defending our nation—does not provide the executive branch clear congressional authorization to create a $400 billion student loan forgiveness program. The Program is thus an unconstitutional exercise of Congress’s legislative power and must be vacated." He continued by saying that the plan is "either one of the largest delegations of legislative power to the executive branch, or one of the largest exercises of legislative power without congressional authority in the history of the United States." In response, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said "We will never stop fighting for hardworking Americans most in need—no matter how many roadblocks our opponents and special interests try to put in our way."

For Context: The program was already paused due to a separate legal challenge. In August, Biden announced a plan for borrowers earning less than $125,000 per year to have at least $10,000 of their federal student loan debt cancelled. The HEROES Act was one of the Biden administration's key justifications for proposing the relief plan. The Justice Department plans to appeal Pittman's ruling.

How the Media Covered It: The news was a top story from sources across the political spectrum Friday. 

Featured Coverage of this Story

More headline roundups

AllSides Picks

More News about Education from the Left, Center and Right

From the Left

From the Center

From the Right