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Thune, GOP senators push bill to ban Biden from canceling student debt, as president mulls 'executive action'

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It was reported this week that Biden told members of Congress he’s currently looking at options for how to make that happen with executive action. And White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that’s on the table. 

Top Democrats in Congress are pushing for President Biden to cancel student debt.

Top Democrats in Congress are pushing for President Biden to cancel student debt.
(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

“He will make a decision before there’s an end to that pause. Right now, it’s been extended through August and we have talked about how we are looking at and he is looking at other executive authority options,” Psaki said. 

Thune is joined by Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Richard Burr, R-N.C., Mike Braun, R-Ind., and Roger Marshall, R-Kan., in introducing the bill. 

Republicans say a continued pause on payments, or canceling student debt altogether, represents a bailout to high-income earners at a time when jobs abound. They also say the pause is fiscally irresponsible and subverts the will of Congress. 

EDUCATION SECRETARY CARDONA ON STUDENT DEBT ACTION: ‘WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO’

“The Biden administration continues to call for a return to normalcy from the pandemic, while simultaneously extending emergency relief programs like the student loan repayment freeze,” Burr said. “They can’t have it both ways. Resuming student loan repayments is long overdue, especially in today’s strong job market.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Jan. 4, 2022.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Jan. 4, 2022.
(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

“The majority of Americans do not have college degrees,” Braun added. “Why should they be forced to pick up the tab for college degrees in the name of pandemic relief? This transfer of wealth is not a move to ‘advance equity,’ but rather a taxpayer handout to appease far-left activists.”

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“The administration is spending without congressional approval,” Cassidy said. “That should be considered unconstitutional.”

The legislation is likely more a messaging bill than anything. It’s highly unlikely enough Democrats in the House or Senate would support it to pass it to Biden’s desk. And it’s even more far-fetched that Biden would sign it. 

But it represents Republicans starting to dig their heels in on an issue that could develop into a major flashpoint in the midterms, as the current pause expires two months before the election. 

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