During an appearance on ABC's "This Week," Democratic Representative Ro Khanna engaged in a pointed discussion with host Jonathan Karl regarding the Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn President Biden's student loan forgiveness initiative. Karl brought up a prior statement by Nancy Pelosi, then Speaker of the House, where she asserted that the President lacked the authority to unilaterally forgive student loan debt, a position echoed by the Supreme Court in their ruling.
Khanna countered by arguing that Pelosi's stance predated a comprehensive legal review of the HEROES Act, which, according to Khanna, grants the executive branch the necessary authority to modify or cancel student loans. He emphasized that the Secretary of Education, with the Attorney General's approval for significant amounts, has the power to act under this legislation. Khanna suggested that Pelosi’s later understanding aligned with this interpretation. He criticized the Supreme Court's decision as an overreach of their judicial powers, arguing that Congress, not the Court, should determine the scope of the HEROES Act.
Furthermore, Khanna advocated for a temporary suspension of student loan repayments, citing the financial strain on borrowers who had anticipated loan forgiveness. Sharing his personal experience with student loans, he highlighted the hardships faced by many and underscored the need for a pause until a resolution is reached. He reiterated his belief that the Supreme Court had improperly interfered with Congress's legislative authority.
The Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling stated that the HEROES Act does not empower the Secretary of Education to erase over $430 billion in student loan debt. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, explained that the scale of the proposed cancellation, impacting millions of borrowers, exceeded the scope of the HEROES Act. The Court’s decision sided with the six states that challenged the plan.
