“Courts have issued orders blocking the student debt relief program,” the education department said on its federal student aid website. “As a result, at this time, we are not accepting applications. We are seeking to overturn these orders.” Fulfilling a campaign promise, President Joe Biden announced in August that he plans to forgive up to $20,000 in federal student loans for people with incomes below $125,000 or households earning less than $250,000. The White House has estimated that more than 40 million people could qualify. Already, around 26 million people have applied and 16 million applications have been approved. However, due to court rulings, none of the relief has actually materialized. The Department of Education “will quickly process their relief once we prevail in court,” said White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre. US District Judge Mark Pittman in Texas ruled Thursday that Biden had exceeded his authority by creating the debt relief program without congressional approval. “In this country, we are not governed by an all-powerful executive with a pen and telephone. Instead, we are governed by a Constitution that provides for three distinct and independent branches of government,” Pittman wrote.
The pardon is likely to end up before the Supreme Court
The administration appealed the decision. Pittman’s decision came after the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily halted the program while it considers whether to impose a permanent ban. That case was brought by half a dozen Republican-led states. U.S. President Joe Biden answers questions with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona as they leave an event about beta testing the student debt relief portal in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex in Washington, D.C., October 17, 2022. (Susan Walsh /The Associated Press) Student loan forgiveness is likely to end up before the Supreme Court. People with student loan debt have not been forced to make payments during the pandemic. However, payments are due to resume and interest will start accruing again in January. Biden said the freeze on payments would not be extended again, but that was before the court rulings. It was unclear whether the pause could continue while legal challenges to the program continue. Regarding loan cancellations, the Ministry of Education said on its website that it will hold applications for those who have already applied.
