RFK Jr. blasts Biden's 'failure' to unify Congress on student loan cancellation

Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Friday attacked President Joe Biden for his lack of leadership on student loan debt cancellation, blaming the Supreme Court decision rejecting his plan on the president's inability to secure legislative support for it.

"The unfortunate SCOTUS ruling striking down President Biden's #studentloan forgiveness program was the predictable result of Biden's failure to bring Congress together on this issue of crucial importance to young Americans," Kennedy wrote. "President Biden knew his plan wouldn't survive a legal challenge. His plan gave the appearance of action, while accomplishing nothing."

The Supreme Court on Friday determined that the president could not unilaterally cancel large swathes of student loan debt. He had pledged to cancel up to $10,000 for most borrowers and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. The Congressional Budget Office had estimated last year that the plan could cost taxpayers roughly $400 billion.

In the ruling, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the Department of Education had "no authorization for the Secretary’s plan when examined using the ordinary tools of statutory interpretation—let alone 'clear congressional authorization' for such a program."

Kennedy, for his part, vowed to avoid the judicial roadblock that stopped Biden by building popular support to pressure Congress and secure a legislative order for debt cancellation.

"This is an issue of grave importance to our country. As President, I will galvanize public support to pressure Congress to put down their partisan positions and legislate meaningful relief to the tens of millions of Americans who are drowning in student debt," he declared. "Funding higher education is not an entitlement program, it is an investment in America's future, just as with infrastructure and environment. Let's invest in America's young people instead of in the forever wars."

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.