Biden Holds GOP Accountable for Student Loan Ruling as 2024 Political Ramifications Approach

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s rejection of President Joe Biden’s $400 billion student loan forgiveness plan, Biden remains resolute, asserting that “this fight is not over.” In an attempt to deflect blame from his own party ahead of next year’s elections, Biden directs the ire of millions of borrowers towards Republicans, holding them responsible for the setback.

Scheduled to deliver an address later in the day, President Biden plans to outline a series of actions aimed at providing ongoing relief to the 43 million student loan borrowers. Meanwhile, he maintains an offensive stance against the GOP, emphasizing what he calls “the stunning hypocrisy of Republican elected officials.” Biden points out their acceptance of billions of dollars in pandemic-related loans for businesses, including substantial sums for their own enterprises, which were eventually forgiven. In contrast, he accuses Republicans of obstructing relief measures for hardworking Americans.

Progressive Democrats in Congress and activists, setting aside electoral consequences, demand an immediate and substantial response from the White House following the court’s decision. Natalia Abrams, president and founder of the Student Debt Crisis Center, places the responsibility squarely on Biden’s shoulders, urging him to utilize his power to secure the much-needed relief for families across the nation. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a prominent voice on the left within her party, emphasizes that the president possesses additional tools to cancel student debt and insists that he must utilize them.

Republicans, who have consistently argued for fairness in loan repayments, celebrate the court’s ruling. Betsy DeVos, former secretary of education under President Donald Trump, denounces Biden’s original plan as “deeply unfair to the majority of Americans who don’t have student loans.” As the race for the 2024 presidential nomination within the GOP begins, several potential candidates express their approval of the court’s decision. Former Vice President Mike Pence commends the ruling, stating his satisfaction that the court rejected what he considers the radical left’s attempt to use taxpayer money to cancel the debts of bankers and lawyers in major cities.

While assigning blame to the GOP may temporarily maintain the issue of student loans as a point of strength for Biden’s reelection campaign, it offers little consolation to the 43 million Americans who now face the prospect of resuming loan repayments. “We do not want to spend our entire lives burdened with crippling debt to further our education,” states Voters of Tomorrow, a youth-led organization that advocates for the power of young Americans.

By attempting to block payments, the White House aimed to fulfill Biden’s campaign promise to eradicate student loan debt, a promise that resonated strongly with young voters and progressives. However, their enthusiasm for supporting Biden may wane following the court’s decision. Wisdom Cole, national director of the NAACP Youth & College Division, emphasizes that Black Americans played a significant role in Biden’s election and suggests that he has an obligation to follow through on his pledges to provide relief to borrowers nationwide. Cole warns of a potential backlash from key demographics, specifically young and Black voters, if the administration fails to take action.

A May poll conducted by The Big Big News-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates that 43% of U.S. adults approve of Biden’s approach to handling student debt, a figure similar to his overall approval rating of 40% in the same poll. The poll also suggests that Biden receives credit for his handling of the issue among young adults, with 53% of respondents under the age of 30 expressing approval, compared to only 36% who approve of his overall job performance.

Cole suggests that the White House should utilize the Higher Education Act of 1965 as a legal foundation for implementing debt relief. He emphasizes that failure is not an option and urges the administration to employ every available legal authority to alleviate the burden of student loan debt.

The Supreme Court’s decision comes at a time when loan payments, which have been on hold since the start of the coronavirus pandemic three years ago, are set to resume in the fall. According to Jed Shugerman, a law professor at Fordham University, it would be practically impossible to provide immediate debt relief before payments recommence, citing the complex nature of administrative law and the requirement for thorough rulemaking processes.

This situation draws parallels to the COVID pandemic-era ban on nationwide evictions, which expired in 2021. The Biden administration opposed extending the ban, citing the Supreme Court’s refusal, despite protests from progressive Democrats and housing activists. However, the impact of the student loan program is expected to be much broader.

The court’s decision on Friday did not come as a surprise, given its initial reactions during the arguments presented in February. Despite mounting pressure from activists and progressive Democrats, the White House remained reluctant to discuss an alternative plan publicly, leading to increased pressure on the administration.

“Inaction is not an option,” asserts U.S. Representative Cori Bush, a Missouri Democrat who strongly defended the eviction moratorium.

Contributions to this report were made by Big Big News writers Chris Megerian and Collin Binkley.

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More about student loan ruling

• Supreme Court strikes down Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan
• The hypocrisy of Republican elected officials
• Progressive Democrats and activists demand immediate relief
• Biden’s handling of student debt and public opinion
• Republicans celebrate Supreme Court’s ruling
• Potential political consequences of the student loan ruling
• Advocates suggest using the Higher Education Act of 1965
• Impact of the court’s decision on loan payments