On Wednesday, President Joe Biden vetoed Republican legislation that would repeal his plan to cancel up to $20,000 of student debt for an estimated 20 million Americans.
This veto cuts off any future legislative efforts to undo Biden’s student debt relief program, as Republicans will not be able to sway enough Democrats to build the two-thirds majority required to overrule Biden’s rejection.
Biden’s Student Loan Relief for Borrowers Who Need It Most is a “three-part plan to provide more breathing room to America’s working families as they continue to recover from the strains associated with the Covid-19 pandemic,” the White House said in a press release. The aim is to address the burden of college costs and reform the student loan system, making it more manageable for the middle class.
The legislation proposed by Republicans, with the support of some moderate Democrats, would block Biden’s plan, claiming it is too costly for taxpayers and hurts those Americans who never attended college.
“The President is sending a clear message that he is willing to force these ordinary Americans to bear the burden of paying off someone else’s student debt loan in addition to their own bills,” said Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) in a statement.
This is one of many attempts from both parties to block Biden from moving forward with his plan.
Biden’s efforts to keep his debt relief plan intact may be nullified in the coming weeks as the Supreme Court prepares to decide whether or not the president may proceed with the program.
This ruling will be made in light of a lawsuit brought about by Republican state attorneys general, who believe that the plan is an abuse of executive power. With a conservative-majority Supreme Court, this decision could pose a significant setback for the Biden administration.
Despite opposition to the student debt relief plan, the president continues to fully back the policy.
“I remain committed to continuing to make college affordable and providing this critical relief to borrowers as they work to recover from a once-in-a-century pandemic,” wrote Biden on Wednesday
