Republicans urge Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi to challenge the U.S. President Joe Biden on his attempt to cancel student loans.
The president announced last week that the government will forgive up to $20,000 of student loans for Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 for other federal borrowers with specific income qualifications to meet the requirement for forgiveness.
After the announcement, many critics as well as GOP lawmakers raised questions on Biden’s authority to issue this kind of measure without congressional approval, especially at the time when mid-term election is right around the corner. Several surveys showed that Biden lost in votes among the younger generation in the general election against former president Donald Trump.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi was one of those critics back in 2021 saying that the U.S. president does not have the power of debt forgiveness, while postponement or delay are within his authority.
94 Republicans led by Georgia Rep. Jody Hice wrote a letter asking Pelosi to stand by her words on debt forgiveness and declare the president Joe Biden’s measure unconstitutional and illegal.
“Given your previously stated position and your leadership role as Speaker of the House, it is imperative that you act immediately in defense of our Constitution and the powers of the legislative branch,” the letter to Pelosi wrote. “Will you commit to supporting your July 2021 statement with definitive action to stand up to this blatant overreach President Biden is enacting?”
The letter also wrote that this is an illegal act by a President desperate for a political win.
“We hope you will heed your own words and act to defend the Constitution and the rule of law,” the letter added.
