The White House plans to ask the Supreme Court to reinstate the Biden Administration’s student debt cancellation plan, according to a Thursday legal filing.
The filing warned that Americans will face financial hardship if the plan remains stalled in the courts when loans are scheduled to restart in January.
The Administration is asking for quick action after the program was blocked in two federal courts in recent weeks. It plans to appeal the most recent ruling blocking the program, by a federal appeals court in St. Louis, where a three-judge panel from the 8th Circuit Court agreed to a preliminary injunction to halt the program.
That ruling came three days after the program was blocked by a federal judge in North Texas, who called the program “unlawful.” U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman said in court files last week that Biden didn’t follow federal procedures to allow for public comment prior to the policy’s announcement.
The White House says it’s prepared to appeal the Texas case if necessary, as well.
Biden’s plan promises $10,000 in federal student debt forgiveness to those with incomes of less than $125,000, or households earning less than $250,000. Pell Grant recipients, who typically demonstrate more financial need, are eligible for an additional $10,000 in relief.
