BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett has rejected the Brown County Taxpayers Association’s emergency effort to block President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program.
It’s the third legal setback the group has faced. Lower courts in Green Bay and Chicago have also rejected the group’s arguments.
After two denials, Rod Goldhahn with the Brown County Taxpayers Association says they expected the rebuttal.
“The issue is not student loan forgiveness — that’s the trigger point,” said Goldhahn. “The issue is ‘Does the president have the authority unilaterally to transfer billions dollars to debt from one body to the tax payers?'”
The forgiveness program started accepting applications on Monday.
If you qualify for student debt relief, click here to get started on your application.
According to Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin, in the first 24 hours, there were over 8 million applications.
“We will continue to try to spread the word for those who can benefit from this program,” said Baldwin.
Baldwin says she acknowledges some lawsuits filed in effort to stop the relief.
“There will probably be some delay while litigation takes place. I hope it won’t be long.”
Green Bay-based federal Judge William Griesbach rejected BCTA’s original suit. He ruled the group didn’t have standing to sue.
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago also rejected the suit — which set the stage for the appeal to the Supreme Court.
“What are the odds you think the Supreme Court will take on this case?” asked FOX 11.
“I don’t know. We’d probably have a 50/50 chance,” said Goldhahn. “But I think the question exists and even members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have come out and said they don’t believe the president has this authority and so, I think that’s the question that needs to be answered.”
It can be a frustrating time for college students. But UW-Green Bay junior, Braxton Armstrong, says student loan forgiveness is beneficial during a time like this.
“I think it’s important to remember that they went through different experiences than us as well,” said Armstrong. “I don’t think either side is right or wrong, but I think it’s a huge help to us as students this time.”
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