Statement of Administration Policy: H.J. Res. 45 - Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Department of Education Relating to "Waivers and Modifications of Federal Student Loans"

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

(House Rules)
(Rep. Good, R-VA, and 94 cosponsors)

The Administration strongly opposes passage of H.J. Res. 45, a joint resolution to disapprove the Department of Education's Waivers and Modifications of Federal Student Loans. This resolution is an unprecedented attempt to undercut our historic economic recovery and would deprive more than 40 million hard-working Americans of much-needed student debt relief.

If enacted, H.J. Res. 45 would weaken America's middle class. Nearly 90 percent of the relief provided by the Department of Education would go to Americans earning less than $75,000 per year, and no relief would go to any individual or household in the top 5 percent of incomes. Americans should be able to have a little more breathing room as they recover from the economic strains associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Education's action is based on decades-old authority granted by Congress. That authority has been used by multiple administrations over the last two decades following the same procedures to protect borrowers from the effects of national emergencies and has never been subject to the Congressional Review Act. The Department's action here should be treated no differently.

If Congress were to pass H.J. Res. 45, the President would veto it.