The Supreme Court delivered a contentious ruling on Biden’s student debt relief plan on June 30. Associate Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett voted alongside Chief Justice Justin Roberts to stop the relief plan. Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson opposed the other justice’s decision.
Negative impact on students
The Supreme court overruling Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan will have a negative impact for American students. Student loan debts is currently at more than 1.75 trillion, and Americans will resume payments for loans that the end of summer with no relief. According to Justice John Roberts, Biden over-stepped his presidential power by making such large changes to his program. Perhaps Biden could recreate the program within the restrictions of his presidential power before the 2024 election?
- Ben DeWitt, Assistant Summer Editor/News Editor
Ensuring fairness in government
As a current college student with loans myself, the recent Supreme Court decision to strike down Biden’s Student loan forgiveness plan is an interesting subject to navigate. While the prospect of loan forgiveness seems enticing, I am also concerned with the system of checks and balances that ensures fairness in our government. I am uncomfortable with the fact that this law was enacted through executive action by President Biden after it was unable to pass in Congress, and in that regard, I am in favor of the Supreme Court’s decision. I believe that a major law, such as this one, that will impact the lives of so many taxpaying Americans, should follow the process prescribed in the Constitution and be passed in Congress before becoming law.
- Grace Giger, LIFE Editor
Conveniently waiting
My biggest issue with the recent SCOTUS decision is the fact that, for the second time in two years, the Supreme Court waited to decide the most divisive case until the final day of sessions. The six justices who made the decision to stop Biden’s student debt relief got to head to their vacation homes while millions of Americans figure out how to start repaying loans again. The decision is also just flat out ridiculous when you realize that forgiving up to $20,000 in student loans would cost less than half the amount that PPP forgiveness costs. My opinion on getting rid of SCOTUS has just been strengthened by this decision. Five justices shouldn’t have the ability to make decisions for over 300 million people.
- James Taurman-Aldrich, Summer Editor/Sports Editor
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