Federal Judge Blocks Biden's Student Loan Forgiveness Plan

Ruling cites overreach of executive power and harm to state-based loan programs

Jan. 29, 2026 at 11:31am

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A federal judge in Missouri has blocked the Biden administration's plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student loan debt for millions of Americans. U.S. District Judge John A. Ross ruled that the plan exceeded the administration's authority and violated the Administrative Procedure Act. The lawsuit was brought by six Republican-led states, who argued the debt cancellation would financially harm their state-based student loan programs.

Why it matters

The student loan forgiveness plan was a key part of the Biden administration's efforts to provide relief to borrowers struggling with the burden of student debt. The ruling is a setback for those efforts and raises questions about the limits of executive power when it comes to major policy decisions.

The details

The Biden administration estimated the plan would have provided relief to over 40 million borrowers and perhaps canceled up to $400 billion in debt. Approximately 22 million borrowers had already been approved for relief before the injunction. The Justice Department has filed a notice of appeal, signaling the administration's intent to fight the ruling.

  • On November 9, 2023, U.S. District Judge John A. Ross blocked the Biden administration's student loan forgiveness plan.
  • The lawsuit was brought by six Republican-led states - Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Carolina.
  • The Biden administration estimated the plan would have provided relief to over 40 million borrowers and perhaps canceled up to $400 billion in debt.
  • Approximately 22 million borrowers had already been approved for relief before the injunction.
  • The Justice Department filed a notice of appeal on November 9, 2023, signaling the administration's intent to fight the ruling.

The players

John A. Ross

A U.S. District Judge who blocked the Biden administration's student loan forgiveness plan.

Biden administration

The current presidential administration that proposed the student loan forgiveness plan.

Republican-led states

A group of six states - Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Carolina - that filed the lawsuit challenging the student loan forgiveness plan.

MOHELA

Missouri's state-based student loan servicer, which the state argued would be financially harmed by the debt cancellation.

Abdullah Hasan

A White House spokesperson who expressed the administration's disagreement with the court's decision.

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What they’re saying

“We strongly disagree with the court's decision. The Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to providing relief to borrowers.”

— Abdullah Hasan, White House spokesperson (White House statement)

What’s next

The Justice Department has filed a notice of appeal, signaling the administration's intent to fight the ruling. The case will now proceed through the appeals process.

The takeaway

This ruling is a setback for the Biden administration's efforts to provide student loan relief, but the fight is not over. The case highlights the ongoing debate over the limits of executive power and the role of the courts in major policy decisions.