CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Lawsuits challenging the Biden administration’s plan to cancel upwards of $400 billion in student loan debt went before the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday.
The plan faced several legal challenges since its announcement late last summer. The most recent being two lawsuits that argue against Biden having the authority to cancel that much debt.
Conservative critics, including Chief Justice John Roberts, argued the plan exceeds the presidential power to modify student loan debt citing the goal of cancelling billions. Several of the other right-leaning justices shared this sentiment, citing Congress’s powers over federal funds.
On the other side, liberal supporters such as Justice Sotomayor, claim the state of student loan debt pre-COVID should not affect the decision in this case. Other left-leaning justices also cited the HEROES Act of 2003 as the source giving President Biden the power to enact this plan by way of Executive Order.
The Supreme Court is expected to announce its ruling sometime over the summer.