In another layer of student loan debates in D.C., the Senate voted to overturn a White House student debt relief plan for millions of borrowers. The White House says it will veto the measure, also on deck in two related cases at the Supreme Court this month.
06/05/2023 1:05 P.M.
1.5 minute read
The U.S. Senate voted 52-46 on June 1 to overturn President Biden’s student debt relief plan for 40 million borrowers to receive up to $20,000 back on their loans, The Hill reports.
The Senate’s vote follows one from the Republican-led House of Representatives, however the White House has said it will hand down a veto on the measure to block the student debt relief.
The Senate and House do not have enough votes to override a White House veto.
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said, according to The Hill, that the U.S. cannot afford to add the costs of the student loan relief to the national debt.
“There are already more than 50 existing student loan repayment and forgiveness programs aimed at attracting individuals to vital service jobs, such as teachers, health care workers, and public servants. This Biden proposal undermines these programs and forces hard-working taxpayers who already paid off their loans or did not go to college to shoulder the cost,” he said.
Biden’s plan still faces two challenges in cases due for a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court this month. The debt ceiling agreement awaiting a Senate vote has an official cutoff of Sept. 1 for the student loan payment pause started during the pandemic.
The U.S. Supreme Court will rule by June 30 on two cases that aim to halt the Biden administration’s plan to forgive up to $20,000 in federal student loans for borrowers, ACA International previously reported.
The Supreme Court’s next opinion release day is June 8.
Remember, subscribe to ACA Daily and Member Alerts under your My ACA profile when logged in to acainternational.org to receive updates on the ACA Huddle.