Peace Garden News

BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven on June 30, 2023 issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) issued a decision overturning President Biden’s student loan debt cancellation plan. Hoeven has been working to oppose the Biden administration’s plan, including joining 42 of his Senate colleagues in an amicus brief to SCOTUS challenging the plan. Earlier this month, Hoeven also voted for a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval he helped introduce to nullify the plan. However, the resolution was subsequently vetoed by President Biden.

“President Biden’s student loan debt cancellation is not a solution to the issue of college affordability, and it is unfair to ask taxpayers who already paid off their loans or who did not go to college to cover this cost,” said Hoeven. “SCOTUS made the right call in overturning this costly plan. At the same time, we will continue working to strengthen options available to workers to pay off their loans, while ensuring we get assistance to those students who need it most.”

Hoeven has worked to advance measures that will improve the affordability of higher education while giving workers more options to help repay their student loans. His efforts include:

• Cosponsoring the following legislation:
  • Employer Participation in Repayment Act, which was signed into law and allows employers to provide tax-free student loan repayment up to $5,250 per year.
  • Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act, a bill to make Pell grants more flexible by extending Pell eligibility to students pursuing high-quality, shorter-term job training programs that meet regional workforce needs.
• As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, working to ensure strong support for Pell grants to help get financial assistance for higher education to those who need it most.

Original source can be found here.