President Biden’s decision to veto the bill aimed at scrapping his $400 billion student loan handout has sparked intense debate. In a video posted on Twitter, Biden boldly declared, “I will not waver in my efforts to assist working families and the middle class. Hence, I am vetoing this bill.”
The bill, which received support from Republican lawmakers, sought to block Biden’s plan to offer up to $10,000 in student debt relief, with additional relief of up to $20,000 for borrowers who received a Pell Grant.
Interestingly, Biden conveniently neglected to acknowledge the support he received from Democratic senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Jon Tester of Montana, and independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who all voted in favor of advancing the bill. In the House of Representatives, Representatives Jared Golden of Maine and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, both Democrats, also joined Republicans in supporting the bill. This bipartisan support underscores the concerns surrounding the potential repercussions of Biden’s proposal.
Instead of addressing the concerns raised by lawmakers, Biden resorted to attacking those who opposed his bill, accusing them of benefiting from loans to support their small businesses during the pandemic and supporting tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy. Such deflection tactics only serve to divert attention from the genuine concerns expressed by responsible lawmakers.
It is worth noting that this marks Biden’s fifth veto since taking office, raising questions about his willingness to engage with opposing viewpoints and his commitment to bipartisan cooperation.
Biden’s proposed program, announced last year, aimed to cancel student loans of up to $10,000 for individuals earning less than $125,000, with additional relief of up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. However, the program was halted by a court ruling due to its substantial cost to the government, estimated to exceed $400 billion in lost debt repayment.
The bill that Biden vetoed was introduced under the Congressional Review Act, allowing Congress to reject executive branch policies by passing a resolution of disapproval. Given the current partisan climate, it is unlikely that Congress will garner the necessary two-thirds majority to override Biden’s veto.
Biden’s decision to uphold his controversial student loan handout in the face of significant opposition demonstrates his prioritization of appeasing his progressive base over seeking bipartisan compromise. By disregarding valid concerns and pursuing fiscally questionable policies, Biden risks alienating responsible lawmakers and undermining the interests of the American people.
Source Fox News
