GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A federal judge dismissed the Brown County Taxpayers Association’s lawsuit against the Biden Administration challenging the student loan debt forgiveness program, just two days after it was filed.
The lawsuit alleged Biden’s move violates the constitutional separation of powers because he made it without congressional approval; violates the equal protection doctrine because White House documents say the debt forgiveness is “more likely” to help “borrowers of color;” and violates the Administrative Procedures Act.
But in a five-page ruling Thursday afternoon, Judge William Griesbach ruled the plaintiffs do not have the legal standard necessary to challenge the act.
“The Supreme Court has repeatedly held, however, that ‘the payment of taxes is generally not enough to establish standing to challenge an action taken by the Federal Government. In the absence of standing, Plaintiff’s case must be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. The court also notes, however, that even if Plaintiff did have standing, it is unclear that the preliminary relief Plaintiff seeks would be appropriate. A substantial question remains as to whether Plaintiff can demonstrate that it will suffer irreparable harm.”
As such, the judge denied the motion for a temporary restraining order blocking the program, and dismissed the case.
The decision could be appealed to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago.
