President Biden’s decision to veto a bill aimed at ending his $400 billion student loan handout has drawn significant criticism. In a Twitter video, Biden proclaimed, “I’m not going to back down on my efforts to help working and middle-class families. That’s why I’m vetoing this bill.” The bill, which had garnered support from Republican lawmakers, sought to block Biden’s plan to provide up to $10,000 in student debt relief and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients.
Surprisingly, Biden conveniently failed to acknowledge the support he received from Democrats. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) all voted in favor of advancing the bill. In the House of Representatives, Representatives Jared Golden (D-Maine) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) also joined Republicans in supporting the bill. This bipartisan support highlights the concerns many lawmakers have regarding the implications of Biden’s proposal.
Instead of engaging with the concerns raised, Biden resorted to attacking those who opposed his bill. He accused them of benefiting from loans to support their small businesses during the pandemic and supporting tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy. Such diversionary tactics only serve to distract from the legitimate concerns expressed by responsible lawmakers.
It is essential to recognize that this is Biden’s fifth veto since taking office, signaling a worrying trend of dismissing opposing viewpoints. This pattern raises concerns about his commitment to bipartisan cooperation and his willingness to consider alternative solutions.
Biden’s proposed program, announced last year, aimed to cancel student loans of up to $10,000 for individuals earning less than $125,000 and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. However, the program was put on hold due to a court ruling that cited its substantial cost to the government, estimated at over $400 billion in lost debt repayment.
The bill that Biden vetoed was brought forward under the Congressional Review Act, allowing Congress to reject executive branch policies by passing a resolution of disapproval. Unfortunately, due to partisan divisions, it is unlikely that Congress will muster the two-thirds majority needed to override Biden’s veto.
Biden’s decision to defend his controversial student loan handout despite significant opposition reveals his prioritization of appeasing his progressive base over seeking bipartisan compromise. This refusal to address legitimate concerns and pursue fiscally responsible policies is a disservice to the American people.
Source Fox News