At a press conference yesterday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) threw cold water on the argument that President Biden has the legal authority to cancel student loan debt using executive action. In no uncertain terms, Pelosi said that Biden “does not” have that power. Pelosi said that Biden can postpone or delay student loan payments, as he has done through executive order, but has no authority to enact broad student loan forgiveness.
Advocates for student loan cancellation slammed Pelosi for her comments, arguing that it only serves to buttress arguments from more moderate and conservative opponents of student debt forgiveness. “It is extremely appalling to hear Speaker Pelosi peddle right-wing talking points and do the political messaging work of Republicans for