Biden Vetoes Bill to Repeal Student-Debt Cancellation Plan

President Joe Biden vetoed a bill designed to kill the administration’s sweeping student-debt relief plan on Wednesday.

The legislation, initiated by congressional Republicans, would have thwarted the president’s executive action to cancel billions of dollars in student debt and eliminate the government’s restructured repayment program.

The bill passed with support from a small contingent of Democrats earlier this month, undermining support for the policy within the president’s own party.

Two moderate Democratic senators, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Jon Tester of Montana, casted votes in favor of the measure as did Senator Kyrsten Sinema, a once-Democrat-turned-independent.

The passage of the bill in the Democratic-controlled Senate delivered a blow to the president who made student-debt cancellation a key presidential campaign promise. The reality highlights mixed attitudes regarding Biden’s plan to forgive as much as $20,000 in federal student loans for eligible borrowers.