Texas Judge Rejects Biden’s Loan Forgiveness Plan

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) – A U.S. judge in Texas on Thursday blocked a plan by President Joe Biden to offer federal student loan forgiveness to millions of borrowers. St. Louis is considering separate lawsuits by six states to contest this.

Fort Worth-based former President Donald Trump-appointed District Court Judge Mark Pittman said the program had taken away 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 governed by a constitution that provides three separate and independent branches of government. ‘” wrote Pittman.

He added: But for our republic to survive, it is imperative that the separation of powers outlined in our constitution is maintained. ”

The Debt Forgiveness Plan writes off $10,000 of student loan debt for individuals earning less than $125,000 or households earning less than $250,000. Pell grant recipients who typically demonstrate more financial need can additionally receive $10,000 in debt forgiveness.

Cancellation applies to federal student loans and Parent Plus loans used to attend undergraduate and graduate school.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit put amnesty plans on hold on October 21 while it considers blocking the program by the states of Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas and South Carolina.

The suspension temporarily suspended the administration from actually paying off the debt, but the White House encouraged borrowers to continue applying for relief, saying the court order did not prevent the application or review of the application. As of late October, more than 22 million borrowers had applied for debt relief.

The White House did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.