The AAUP joined the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) in filing an amicus brief on January 11, 2023, in the US Supreme Court in support of the Biden administration’s efforts to grant much-needed relief to individuals holding student loan debt. The amicus brief argues that a plan announced by the secretary of education in August 2022 to partially forgive student loans for certain eligible borrowers is a lawful exercise of authority granted by Congress in the 2003 Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act, given the immense economic hardships created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The brief notes in particular the severe financial impact that COVID-19 has had on US teachers and nurses, as well as student borrowers in general. The brief also argues that cancelling student debt best serves the purposes of the HEROES Act because of the long-lasting nature of the pandemic’s harms and because permanent relief will best facilitate the recovery of the public service sector.
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