Christian D. Menefee, the Harris County Attorney, has joined dozens of other local leaders in an amicus brief supporting the White House as they get set to argue in front of the Supreme Court over student debt relief.
Menefee joins other signatories from 23 states in the brief for Biden v. Nebraska, which will be heard next month. The student debt relief plan from the Biden administration would impact up to forty million Americans who could see $20,000 of their student debt loans relieved.
Immediately after Biden announced student debt relief, Republicans were apoplectic. On his podcast, Senator Ted Cruz blasted the plan, insinuating it would only help “slacker baristas.” Legal challenges were also filed.
A federal judge in Texas, appointed by Trump, struck down the law last year. Separately, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals put an injunction on the student debt relief after six Republican-led states (though notably not Texas) challenged the plan. The Supreme Court will be hearing arguments in the latter case.
Menefee is asking the Supreme Court to allow the Biden administration to go through with the student debt relief plan, arguing it would benefit Harris County. “Not only does the student debt relief plan have a positive impact on people who are drowning in student loan payments, it also helps the County by allowing these people to more fully participate in the local economy,” said Menefee in a statement about the amicus brief.
Several amicus briefs have also been filed to support the student debt relief plan, including from the NAACP and the American Federation of Teachers. According to the White House, over 26 million borrowers have already applied for student debt relief.
Photo by Kevin Dietsch
A longtime writer and journalist, Jessica was thrilled to join the Texas Signal where she could utilize her unique perspective on politics and culture. As the Features and Opinion Editor, she is responsible for coordinating editorials and segments from diverse authors. She is also the host of the podcast the Tex Mix, as well as the co-host for the weekly SignalCast. Jessica attended Harvard College, is a onetime fitness blogger, and has now transitioned to recreational runner (for which her joints are thankful).
