(The hill) – Three GOP-governed states filed an emergency petition with the Supreme Court on Monday seeking to stop President Biden’s income-based student loan repayment program, Saving on Valuable Education (SAVE).
South Carolina, Texas and Alaska filed a lawsuit to have the plan revoked after January 10.th Circuit allowed the administration to start a significant part of it.
The SAVE plan provided for a monthly reduction Repayment of a student loan from 10 percent of disposable income to 5 percent this month. In addition, certain groups of borrowers will be offered student loan forgiveness.
The 10th Circuit halted the debt relief but said the lower monthly payments could continue, allowing the states to appeal to the Supreme Court, which last year hit Biden’s previous attempt at general debt relief.
Monday’s motion was referred by default to Judge Neil Gorsuch, who oversees emergency appeals in the 10th Circuit.
Gorsuch could, however, refer the matter to his colleagues for a vote. And although the Supreme Court is on summer recess, the justices are still deciding emergency motions.
The case has plunged student loan borrowers into a modern round of uncertainty as Republicans continue to fight Biden’s efforts to forgive student loans.
The Biden administration has taken steps to impose a forbearance on borrowers while the legal action is heard in court.
“While we are frustrated by ongoing legal challenges aimed at limiting relief available to borrowers, we are pleased that the Department of Education has responded quickly and decisively by granting administrative payment forbearance for three million borrowers,” said Natalia Abrams, president of the Student Debt Crisis Center.
