Biden pitches student loan forgiveness for millions
The latest relief plan would benefit nearly 30 million borrowers


What happened
President Joe Biden has announced a new program that would reduce the amount that 25 million borrowers owe on their undergraduate and graduate loans. Approximately 10 million would get at least $5,000 in student loan debt relief and more than four million would have their debt forgiven entirely, according to The White House.
Who said what
"We're giving people a chance to make it," Biden said after outlining the plan during a Monday visit to Madison in the swing state of Wisconsin. Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, the ranking Republican member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, called the plan an "unfair ploy to buy votes before an election" while doing "absolutely nothing" to address high education costs.
The commentary
The iconic college town of Madison "symbolizes the president's promise to make higher-education affordability a cornerstone of his economic agenda," The New York Times said. It's a promise he has "so far failed to achieve." Biden's latest loan forgiveness proposal is "illegal," The Wall Street Journal said, and a future Congress or administration might be able to "undo the lawless act."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
Biden's proposal will almost certainly face conservative legal challenges as the legislative clock ticks down to the 2024 general election.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Rafi Schwartz has worked as a politics writer at The Week since 2022, where he covers elections, Congress and the White House. He was previously a contributing writer with Mic focusing largely on politics, a senior writer with Splinter News, a staff writer for Fusion's news lab, and the managing editor of Heeb Magazine, a Jewish life and culture publication. Rafi's work has appeared in Rolling Stone, GOOD and The Forward, among others.
-
Giorgio Armani obituary: designer revolutionised the business of fashion
In the Spotlight ‘King Giorgio’ came from humble beginnings to become a titan of the fashion industry and redefine 20th century clothing
-
Kim Jong Un’s triumph: the rise and rise of North Korea’s dictator
In the Spotlight North Korean leader has strengthened ties with Russia and China, and recently revealed his ‘respected child’ to the world
-
Crossword: September 13, 2025
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Supreme Court allows 'roving' race-tied ICE raids
Speed Read The court paused a federal judge's order barring agents from detaining suspected undocumented immigrants in LA based on race
-
South Korea to fetch workers detained in Georgia raid
Speed Read More than 300 South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant will be released
-
Why are Trump's health rumors about more than just presidential fitness?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Extended absences and unexplained bruises have raised concerns about both his well-being and his administration's transparency
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'
Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law
-
RFK Jr. faces bipartisan heat in Senate hearing
Speed Read The health secretary defended his leadership amid CDC turmoil and deflected questions about the restricted availability of vaccines
-
White House defends boat strike as legal doubts mount
Speed Read Experts say there was no legal justification for killing 11 alleged drug-traffickers
-
Epstein accusers urge full file release, hint at own list
speed read A rally was organized by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who are hoping to force a vote on their Epstein Files Transparency Act