WASHINGTON − The Supreme Court on Friday dashed President Joe Biden’s plan to wipe out student loan debt for 26 million Americans, ending a program that was intended to ease the financial burden on families in the latest significant ruling from the high court that curbs a president’s power to act alone.
In one of the most closely followed cases before the court, with sweeping implications for the balance of power in Washington and the household finances of millions of families, a majority ruled that the Biden administration overstepped its power by attempting to forgive $400 billion in student loans lingering during the pandemic.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the decision for a 6-3 court.
People of color will feel impact of Supreme Court’s decisions
Friday’s opinion gutting mass student loan debt forgiveness is the second in as many days that hits people of color especially hard. On Thursday, the court struck down the use of affirmative action in college admissions.
Black and brown students are more likely to borrow and hold a disproportionate amount of student loan debt.
Advocates were quick to call on the Biden administration to act.
“Our communities often face intersecting forms of discrimination and systemic disadvantages, restricting access to higher education and economic opportunities,” said David Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, a Black LGBTQ+ civil rights group. “Our democracy will be weakened as a result of this ruling.”
Biden to announce new actions for student loan borrowers after SCOTUS defeat
President Joe Biden will announce new actions to protect student loan borrowers, the White House said Friday after the Supreme Court killed the president’s debt forgiveness plan in a 6-3 opinion.
“While we strongly disagree with the court, we prepared for this scenario. The president will have more to say today,” said a White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The official said Biden…
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