The Biden administration has announced it will abandon key proposals to provide sweeping student loan forgiveness and establish new protections for transgender athletes, citing time constraints and resource limitations as the administration winds down.
At a glance:
- Student loan proposals dropped: Plans to cancel up to $20,000 in debt for millions of Americans will not move forward.
- Focus shifts: The Department of Education will prioritize helping at-risk borrowers manage repayments.
- Transgender sports rule withdrawn: A controversial regulation aimed at clarifying the rights of transgender athletes has been rescinded.
- Legal and political pressures: Both proposals faced significant opposition and legal hurdles.
In a move signaling the end of some of his administration’s most ambitious plans, President Joe Biden has chosen to withdraw proposals that would have addressed two contentious issues: student debt relief and transgender sports protections.
Abandoning Student Debt Relief
The Department of Education confirmed Friday that it will no longer pursue Biden’s latest student loan forgiveness plans, which promised to cancel up to $20,000 in debt for millions of borrowers and offer targeted relief for those facing financial hardships. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona cited “uncertainty around implementation” and limited resources as reasons for the decision.
“The Department at this time intends to commit its limited operational resources to helping at-risk borrowers return to repayment successfully,” Cardona said in an official notice.
This marks a significant retreat for Biden, who campaigned on reducing the burden of student debt. While his administration has forgiven $180 billion in loans through existing programs, including Public Service Loan Forgiveness, it failed to enact the widespread relief initially promised.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy criticized the administration’s reversal, calling the plans “a dishonest attempt to buy votes.” Conservative opponents had successfully challenged Biden’s earlier attempts at debt forgiveness in court, further complicating his efforts.
Rescinding the Transgender Sports Rule
The administration also announced it would withdraw a proposed rule aimed at clarifying the rights of transgender athletes under Title IX. The regulation sought to balance protections for transgender students with concerns about fairness in competition and safety in sports.
The rule had been delayed multiple times and faced criticism from both sides of the debate. Advocates for transgender athletes argued it didn’t go far enough in ensuring inclusion, while opponents claimed it undermined fairness in women’s sports.
The Education Department cited ongoing litigation and the complexity of public feedback—over 150,000 comments—as reasons for scrapping the rule.
Political and Legal Hurdles
The decisions come as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, and federal agencies scramble to finalize or withdraw pending regulations. By abandoning these proposals, the Biden administration seeks to prevent Trump from easily altering or dismantling them.
Trump has vowed to implement his “America First” agenda, including banning transgender athletes and reversing Biden’s education policies. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump, accused the Biden administration of “dirty tricks” to complicate the incoming administration’s efforts.
Shifting Focus
While abandoning these high-profile initiatives, the Biden administration continues to push forward with other efforts. On Friday, officials announced the cancellation of $4.28 billion in student loans for 55,000 public service workers. This relief is expected to be the final round of loan forgiveness under Biden’s presidency.
Melissa Byrne, a student debt cancellation advocate, expressed frustration over the administration’s decisions but acknowledged the challenges Biden faced. “It’s a bummer that we have a GOP that is committed to keeping working-class Americans in debt,” she said.
As the clock runs out on Biden’s term, his administration’s shift in focus underscores the challenges of navigating a politically divided landscape while trying to cement a lasting legacy.
