On Tuesday, President Biden’s student loan relief plan will be heard at the Supreme Court for oral arguments.
The relief plan, which can provide up to $20,000 in debt relief to millions of Americans, faces two legal challenges – one from six Republican-led states, Biden v. Nebraska, and another from two student loan borrowers, Department of Education v. Brown.
The Biden administration argues that Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has the authority to forgive the debt under the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act.
However, legal observers suggest that the closer question could be whether the justices reach the merits at all, with the administration contending that neither group of challengers has standing to sue.
Both challenges have been placed on hold by federal appeals courts, and the Biden administration must now face a conservative-majority Supreme Court in its efforts to provide relief to borrowers.