Biden Kicks Sweeping Student Debt Relief Plan Into Gear

The Education Department on Wednesday will begin emailing millions of student loan borrowers to let them opt out of President Biden’s new policy to reduce or eliminate their balances, advancing an alternative plan to the program struck down by the Supreme Court last year. Biden’s debt relief policies are sure to take center stage as the election nears, despite the president’s departure from the campaign. Vice President Harris, the likely Democratic nominee, has heralded the administration’s efforts to clear the ledgers for millions of borrowers and said she would continue the policies if elected. While that position will curry favor with liberals who praise Biden for canceling more than $168 billion in student debt, it could further fuel political opposition from conservatives who consider the policies fiscally irresponsible.