WASHINGTON — A group of Republican senators on Monday unveiled a proposal to reverse President Joe Biden’s executive action last year to forgive some federal student-loan debt.
The move escalates a political war over an issue that has divided the two parties and played out in the 2022 midterm elections.
The two-page resolution was read in an advisory capacity by Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, senior member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, along with Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and Joni Ernst of Iowa and 35 GOP co-sponsors.
“Where’s the relief for the man who skipped college but paid off his work truck, or for the woman who paid off her loans and is now struggling to afford her mortgage?” Cassidy said. “This resolution prevents these Americans, whose debt looks unlike the favored group the Biden administration has chosen, from taking the bill for these irresponsible and unfair policies.”
The proposal was brought under the Congressional Review Act, which creates an expedited process for Congress to repeal rules enacted by federal agencies within a specified period of time. It is not subject to Senate filibuster and can be passed by a simple majority.
Republicans have a narrow majority in the House of Representatives, while Democrats have a 51-49 majority in the Senate. But if the measure passes, Biden could veto it and ask Congress to find two-thirds to overrule it.
Biden’s executive action — backed by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and other Democrats — would allow student debt relief of up to $10,000 for federal borrowers earning less than $125,000 in individual income ( or couples filing taxes together and earning less than $250,000 per year) and up to $20,000 for those receiving Pell Grants. According to the bipartisan Congressional Budget Office, the proposal is expected to cost $400 billion.
“Republicans are showing us how callous and ruthless they can be to families trying to make ends meet,” Schumer said tweeted last week pending this resolution. “We will continue to fight this cruel Republican attempt to end student debt relief with everything we have.”
Biden’s student debt plan divided voters in the 2022 election with 50% approval and 47% disapproval, according to NBC News’ national race exit polls. The plan is also being challenged in the Supreme Court.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
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