Senator Bernie Sanders has slammed the Supreme Court’s decision to prevent the Biden administration from cancelling student debt.
In a statement released on Friday, the independent senator said the ruling was a “devastating blow” to Americans facing financial stress from mounting student debt.
Describing the decision as “legally unsound”, Sanders called on President Biden to use his authority to cancel student debt under the Higher Education Act of 1965.
“I am urging the Biden Administration to implement a Plan B immediately to cancel student debt for tens of millions of Americans who are struggling to pay the rent, put food on the table, and pay for the basic necessities of life,” he said.
Sanders also scolded the Supreme Court’s conservative justices for the decision, which comes after recent rulings on abortion and affirmative action
“In my view, if right-wing Supreme Court justices want to make public policy they should quit the Supreme Court and run for political office,” Sanders said.
“Frankly, I do not think their extremist views will gain much traction with the average American voter.”
Recent scandals which have engulfed the Supreme Court, including conservative justice Clarence Thomas’s friendship with billionaire Harlan Crowe, demonstrates the Court must be held to account, Sanders said.
“the time is long overdue for the Supreme Court to do what every other branch of the judiciary does.”
“They must establish a code of ethical standards so that justices cannot secretly accept lavish financial gifts from billionaire patrons.”
