WASHINGTON DC – The NAACP and a historic coalition of cities, states, experts, and advocates filed more than a dozen amicus curiae briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the Biden Administration’s student debt relief program.
This joint move by the coalition comes as the nation’s highest court is set to hear arguments that will determine the fate of Biden’s student debt relief program on February 28th.
“Education is meant to be a key to financial freedom, not the ultimate barrier. The reality is that for far too long, the overwhelming burden of student debt has kept Black Americans from utilizing their education to attain upward mobility and create the generational wealth they seek. Let’s be real – student debt is crushing Black America,” said NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson. “The coronavirus pandemic has only made things worse, and borrowers deserve a chance to get back on their feet. The NAACP has advocated for student debt relief for years, mobilizing student borrowers across the country to tell their stories and urging the President to take action. President Biden’s plan to begin addressing the student debt crisis is not only legal but essential for providing much-needed relief to some 40 million Americans who are dealing with the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The NAACP proudly joins our partners in pulling out every tool in the box to make sure borrowers receive the relief they need. It is up to the Supreme Court to do the right thing and uphold the President’s plan to pave the way toward greater economic and racial equality in America.”
The NAACP will continue to advocate for closing the racial wealth gap in America. It is the hope of the Association that President Biden’s student debt relief program will move forward and once and for all provide much-needed financial relief to millions of Americans.
A copy of the Amicus Brief can be found here.
