This morning, arguments will be heard at the Supreme Court challenging the legality of President Biden’s student debt relief plan. Over forty million borrowers could be impacted based on how the ultra-conservative court decides.
Within weeks of announcing the relief plan last year, 26 million people applied. Before the legal challenges mounted, 16 million were approved and ready for their debt relief. According to the Department of Education, ninety percent of the relief would go towards borrowers earning less than $75,000 per year.
Rightwing reaction to Biden’s lifeline for those with student debt was swift. Ted Cruz took to his podcast to blast the plan as a cynical ploy to target young voters like “slacker baristas.”
Indicted Attorney General Ken Paxton also opposes the debt relief program. He signed on to two amicus briefs for the Supreme Court with the plaintiffs suing the Biden administration. In a release following the filed briefs, he called the entire program a “wealth transfer.”
Several other amicus briefs were filed in support of the Biden student debt relief plan, including from conservative legal scholars. Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee also signed onto an amicus brief with several other local officials in support of the Biden plan.
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).
