President Joe Biden announced on August 24th, 2022 that the federal government will be relieving $10,000 in student loan debt per borrower and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. However, a federal appeals court has halted the progress of the relief program due to six Republican-led states claiming Biden does not have the authority to cancel student debt across all states. In response, the government’s lawyers pointed to the HEROES Act which was established in 2003 by George W.
“We’re going to win that case. I think in the next two weeks you’re going to see those checks going out.” This action of forgiving student debt is a great first step, but there are many more areas in which the U.S. government will need to step up to close the gender and racial equity gap. Biden and Harris have developed a national strategy for gender equity and equality that focuses on strengthening underserved and underrepresented communities.