11/11/22 - Federal Judge Blocks Debt Relief Program

Another blow to President Biden's student debt relief plan. A judge says the program was "unlawful."

A federal judge in Fort worth, Texas, ruled yesterday against President Joe Biden's student debt relief plan.

A lawsuit was filed by Job Creators Network Foundation. 

U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman, said the program was "unlawful", in an order on Thursday.  Pittman wrote in a 26-page order that, "No one can plausibly deny that it is either one of the largest delegations of legislative power to the executive branch, or one of the largest exercises of legislative power without congressional authority in the history of the United States." 

Just after the ruling on Thursday, the Justice Department filed a notice of appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit within a couple hours. 

In a separate legal battle over the debt relief plan, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit granted a stay against the program after six states sued.

A number of Attorneys General, lawmakers and other organizations have been working to challenge the measure since President Biden announced it back in May.