Student debt cancellation/ Biden regulations withdrawn/ Title IX transgender sports rule/ Trump policy changes/ Public Service Loan Forgiveness/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Joe Biden is withdrawing unfinished regulations, including a major student loan forgiveness plan, to prevent President-elect Donald Trump from revising them to advance his agenda. This marks a strategic pivot in Biden’s final weeks in office as his administration moves to protect its policy goals while pushing ahead with targeted debt relief for public service workers.
Biden Withdraws Pending Regulations: Quick Looks
- Student Debt Relief Scrapped: Biden abandons broad loan cancellation plans to prevent Trump’s revisions.
- Transgender Sports Rule in Limbo: White House pulls back a proposal on transgender athletes under Title IX.
- Debt Forgiveness Continues: Public Service Loan Forgiveness wipes out $4.28 billion for 55,000 workers.
- Regulatory Strategy: Biden opts to withdraw unfinished rules, forcing Trump to restart the process.
- Impact of Transition: Federal agencies race to finalize or withdraw policies before Biden leaves office.
Biden Ends Student Loan Forgiveness Plan as White House Prepares for Trump Transition
Deep Look
Biden Withdraws Key Policies to Thwart Trump’s Plans
In the waning days of his presidency, President Joe Biden is strategically pulling back major regulatory proposals to prevent President-elect Donald Trump from altering them to fit his agenda. Among the first casualties is Biden’s ambitious student loan forgiveness plan, which aimed to relieve debt for millions of borrowers.
This move reflects a broader White House effort to clear unfinished regulations across federal agencies, avoiding a situation where Trump could fast-track changes by building on Biden’s groundwork.
Student Loan Forgiveness Plans Scrapped
Biden’s administration officially withdrew two proposals on Friday that represented his second attempt at widespread student debt relief:
- April Proposal: Targeted loan forgiveness for up to 30 million Americans, including provisions to erase accrued interest and cancel loans for those repaying for 20+ years.
- October Proposal: Allowed the Education Department to forgive loans for borrowers facing financial hardship, such as steep medical bills or child care costs.
Both measures were mired in legal challenges. The April proposal was blocked by a federal judge in September following a lawsuit by Republican-led states.
Despite these setbacks, Biden highlighted his administration’s success in canceling $180 billion in federal student loans through existing programs. On Friday, an additional $4.28 billion in loans was forgiven for 55,000 public service workers, marking the final round of Public Service Loan Forgiveness under Biden’s tenure.
“Millions of Americans now have the breathing room to pursue their dreams without the burden of student debt,” Biden said.
Other Regulations in Jeopardy
The decision to withdraw regulations extends beyond student loans. A proposed Title IX rule to prevent schools from banning transgender athletes was also pulled back.
The rule, initially proposed in 2023, aimed to protect LGBTQ+ students by barring outright bans on transgender athletes while allowing certain restrictions for fairness or safety. However, delays and growing Republican opposition sidelined the measure, particularly as Trump campaigned on a promise to ban transgender athletes from women’s sports.
By scrapping these proposals, the Biden administration aims to force the incoming Trump administration to restart the regulatory process, which can take years.
Regulatory Tug-of-War
Federal rulemaking has increasingly become a tool for presidents to bypass congressional gridlock. However, this reliance on regulations also makes policies more vulnerable to reversal with changes in administration.
Unfinished rules under Biden would have allowed Trump to quickly amend or enact new policies without going through lengthy public comment periods. By withdrawing them, Biden limits Trump’s ability to immediately reshape federal policies, buying time for Democratic opposition.
Activists React
Melissa Byrne, an advocate for student debt relief, expressed disappointment but acknowledged the strategic necessity of withdrawing the proposals.
“It’s not the way I wanted it to end,” Byrne said. “But this is the most prudent action to take right now.”
She blamed Republican opposition for forcing the Biden administration into this position, criticizing the GOP for perpetuating debt burdens on working-class Americans.
Impact on the Transition
The regulatory withdrawals come as Washington braces for additional challenges, including a potential government shutdown. Federal agencies are racing to finalize other key policies while determining which measures to abandon before Biden’s departure.
While nothing prevents Trump from pursuing new regulations on the same issues, he would need to start from scratch—a process that could take years to complete.
Legacy of Debt Relief
Although Biden’s broader cancellation plans were thwarted, his administration has set records for debt forgiveness. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which cancels loans for workers in government and nonprofit roles after 10 years, has provided billions in relief during Biden’s tenure.
For many borrowers, these targeted measures offer some solace, even as broader plans fall by the wayside.
Key Takeaways
- Strategic Withdrawals: Biden pulls back unfinished regulations to limit Trump’s ability to fast-track policy changes.
- Debt Relief Achievements: Despite setbacks, $180 billion in student loans has been forgiven under Biden.
- Title IX Rule Abandoned: A proposed transgender sports rule is withdrawn amid political opposition.
- Regulatory Challenges: The move forces Trump to restart rulemaking, delaying potential changes.
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