Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Case That Could Decide Fate of Biden’s Targeted Student Loan Relief Program

The Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday in a case that could decide the fate of President Joe Biden’s targeted student loan relief program. The program, authorized by the HEROES Act, would provide debt relief to millions of student loan borrowers.

The three liberal justices of the Supreme Court appeared to deploy a fresh strategy as they launched a disciplined and sustained effort to attack arguments put forward by challengers to the program. Justice Elena Kagan was first up, tackling whether the debt relief program passes legal muster. Justice Sonia Sotomayor batted cleanup, reminding her colleagues of the consequences at stake if the program were to be voided.

The Supreme Court’s conservative justices looked ready to void the program, questioning Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona’s authority under the HEROES Act to cancel student loan debt and implying that such an action violated the court’s so-called major questions doctrine, which forbids executive regulatory actions of “vast economic or political significance” that were not expressly authorized by Congress.

At least five of the six conservative justices appeared skeptical of arguments made by Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar that the student loan relief program was legal. However, the debt relief could still live on if two conservatives side with the liberal justices and deny the plaintiffs standing to sue.

The Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision on the case in the coming months. The outcome of the case could have a major impact on the lives of millions of student loan borrowers.