by Jennifer Nuelle
Obama-appointed federal judges blocked parts of the Biden administration’s Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan on Monday in response to Republican states’ lawsuits.
Judge John A. Ross of Missouri and Judge Daniel Crabtree of Kansas blocked parts of the administration’s SAVE plan, which was an income-driven repayment program intended to lower monthly costs for borrowers. The court rulings prohibit the Department of Education from further lowering payments or eliminating more debt through the program, Politico reported.
Ross ruled that the “defendants are preliminarily enjoined from any further loan forgiveness for borrowers” under the plan until the case is fully considered by the court, and Crabtree temporarily blocked parts of the program that would further lower monthly payments for some borrowers, according to the court documents. Ross’ order takes effect immediately and the other will take effect June 30, giving the administration time to appeal.
“We strongly disagree with the Kansas and Missouri District Court rulings, which block components of the SAVE Plan that help student loan borrowers have affordable monthly payments and stay out of default. The Department of Justice will continue to vigorously defend the SAVE Plan,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement.
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach filed the lawsuit in March, while Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filedin April, both of which stemmed from the loan forgiveness program being deemed unconstitutional.
“The President does not get to thwart the Constitution when it suits his political agenda. I’m filing suit to halt his brazen attempt to curry favor with some citizens by forcing others to shoulder their debts. The Constitution will continue to mean something as long as I’m Attorney General,” Bailey said in a press release when the initial suit was filed.
In June 2023, the Supreme Court shot down the administration’s student loan forgiveness plan for nearly 40 million Americans using executive power. Biden introduced the SAVE plan soon after the Supreme Court ruling, which would limit student loan repayments to 5 percent of a borrower’s monthly income from the limit of 10 percent.
The Missouri and Kansas Attorneys General offices did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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Jennifer Nuelle is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation.
