SCOTUS Uses Pelosi’s Own Words To Smack Down Biden
In a milestone 6-3 court ruling, the Supreme Court declared President Joe Biden’s student debt cancellation program unconstitutional on Friday. The HEROES Act, recently passed by Congress in 2021, had promised to begin loan forgiveness for borrowers with incomes below a certain level, with those who had previously received Pell Grants eligible for up to $20,000 of debt relief each.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion that the HEROES Act had not given Biden the authority to act unilaterally on the student loan issue. He was supported in this opinion by a quote from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who in July of 2021 said “People think that the President of the United States has the power for debt forgiveness. He does not. He can postpone. He can delay. But he does not have that power. That has to be an act of Congress.”
The Supreme Court’s ruling has put the brakes on the student debt cancellation plans of the new Biden administration. This comes as a blow to those struggling with their student loan debt and to progressive advocates of fair and equitable educational policy.
Meanwhile, some legal experts point to the lack of congressional authorization as the issue with the Biden program.
“The Supreme Court’s decision underscores how important it is for Congress to act when granting executive powers,” said Daniel Sussman, a legal commentator for Fox News. “Legislation like this requires that Congress provide express authorization for the President to act. Pelosi’s quote is a stark reminder of the limits of presidential power”
The court’s decision is a reminder of how difficult it can be to pass sweeping legislation in a divided Congress. As the Biden administration now moves towards the upcoming midterm elections, pressure is mounting on both Democrats and Republicans to come together on a bipartisan solution to the student loan crisis.
For now, however, it appears that student loan borrowers must remain hopeful that the Supreme Court’s decision will bring with it a new opportunity for relief from a pressing and urgent debt burden.
HAHAHAHAHA Justice Roberts cited Nancy Pelosi in the majority opinion when she said Biden doesn't have the power to cancel student debt. pic.twitter.com/mhhyniRPpa
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) June 30, 2023