Democrats suggest use of 1965 law as plan B for student loan forgiveness

Politicians are describing the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down President Biden’s student loan forgiveness as everything from a “victory for common sense” to “hypocritical.” Now, Democrats want to find an alternative to the plan that would have wiped away $10,000 to $20,000 in student loan debt for 43 million people. 

Some Democrats are suggesting President Biden use the Higher Education Act as a plan B. The Higher Education Act is a nearly 1,000-page law passed in 1965. Progressives including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., have said the president could use it to order the Department of Education to stop collecting student loans. 

It is very important to note this SCOTUS ruling does NOT remove Biden’s ability to pursue student loan forgiveness.

The Biden Admin can use the HEA (Higher Ed Act) – our position from the start – to continue loan forgiveness before payments resume. They should do so ASAP. https://t.co/inV3yWsDwB

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 30, 2023

“It is very important to note this SCOTUS ruling does NOT remove Biden’s ability to pursue student loan forgiveness. The Biden Admin can use the HEA (Higher Ed Act) – our position from the start – to continue loan forgiveness before payments resume. They should do so ASAP,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., tweeted.

The hypocrisy is clear:

As justices accept lavish, six-figure gifts, they don’t dare to help Americans saddled with student loan debt, instead siding with the powerful, big-monied interests.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) June 30, 2023

Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has also advocated for that plan.

“The hypocrisy is clear: As justices accept lavish, six-figure gifts, they don’t dare to help Americans saddled with student loan debt, instead siding with the powerful, big-monied interests,” Schumer tweeted.

Republicans celebrated and said the Supreme Court made the right decision. 

“Instead of putting together a real plan to lower the costs of higher education, President Biden put forward an unserious scheme to force 87% of Americans who do not have student loan debt to bear the costs of the 13% of Americans who do,” Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said.

There have been bipartisan calls to find a way to lower the cost of higher education.

“It’s time the administration work with Congress on policies that address the root causes of high tuition and provide the public with better access to more educational opportunities,” Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., said.

The White House said 90% of the forgiveness would have gone to people making less than $75,000 per year. But Republicans did not think it was fair to make taxpayers foot the bill, especially those who chose not to attend college.