Biden vetoes student loan debt relief bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday vetoed legislation that would have scuppered his plan to forgive student debt.

“It’s a shame for working families across the country that lawmakers continue to pursue this unprecedented attempt to deny critical relief to millions of their own constituents,” Biden said in an opinion when he announced his veto.

Despite the veto, Biden’s plan is still not certain. The US Supreme Court, which is dominated by a conservative majority, is Consideration of a Legal Challenge that could eliminate the program. A decision is expected in the summer.

If passed, Biden’s plan would forgive borrowers earning less than $125,000 a year up to $20,000 in federal student loan debt.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, student loan payments were suspended. However, they will be reinstated in August for those whose debts will not be paid off by Biden’s plan.