An Appeals Court Rejects Biden's Attempt To Revive Student Debt Plan

On Wednesday, a federal appeals court declined to put a Texas judge's ruling on hold that President Joe Biden's plan to cancel hundreds of billions of dollars in student loan debt was unlawful.

New Orleans' 5th Circuit court rejected the Biden government's request to pause a judge's Nov. 10 order vacating the $400 billion student debt relief program.

The decision by Fort Worth, Texas-based U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman was one of two nationally that has prevented the U.S. Department of Education under the Democratic president from moving forward with granting debt relief to millions of borrowers.

On Wednesday's short order, a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit declined to put Pittman's ruling on hold while the administration appealed his decision. Still, the court directed that the appeal be heard on an expedited basis.

The panel included two Republican appointees and one judge nominated by then-Democratic President Barack Obama. Pittman was appointed by then-Republican President Donald Trump.

There was no immediate response from the White House, but the administration has said that if the 5th Circuit declines to halt Pittman's order, it will ask the Supreme Court to intervene.