Conservative Judges Skeptical of Biden’s Student Loan Bailout

Also: Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking.

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Conservative Judges Skeptical of Biden’s Student Loan Bailout
It was announced this week that the Supreme Court started hearing arguments in the case regarding the Biden Administration’s plan to forgive $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 and $20,000 for those who received Pell grants. As expected, conservative justices are skeptical of the Biden Administration’s power to enforce bailout.

Reuters reported:

Roberts, the chief justice, questioned whether the scale of the relief was a mere modification of an existing student loan program, as allowed under the law the administration cited as authorizing it.

"We're talking about half a trillion dollars and 43 million Americans. How does that fit under the normal understanding of 'modify'?" Roberts asked.
…

Kavanaugh said Congress in the HEROES Act did not specifically authorize loan cancellation or forgiveness and that Biden's administration pursued a "massive new program."

"That seems problematic," Kavanaugh said.

Liberal justices focused on whether the six states bringing forth lawsuits had legal standing.

Margot Cleveland at The Federalist summarizes the heart of the issue before the court:

Under the major questions doctrine, when an administrative agency, like the Department of Education, claims the “power to make decisions of vast ‘economic and political significance,’” the agency must be able to point to “clear congressional authorization.” The forgiveness of some $400 billion in student loans seems sure to qualify in the justices’ view as a decision of “vast economic and political significance.” And, thus, to withstand scrutiny, the Biden administration will need to establish that the HEROES Act clearly authorized the cancellation of the student loans. 

The circumstances of this case strongly suggest the high court will say the secretary exceeded his authority and thereby strike the loan forgiveness plan. But equally important will be any guidance the Supreme Court provides. 

RELATED: Supreme Court verdict in student loan bailout case could have major ripple effect (Based Politics)

Virginia to Ban China From Buying Farmland
The Virginia House of Delegates and Senate recently approved proposals to ban China from buying farmland in the commonwealth. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin is likely to sign it and it will be retroactive from January 1, 2023. In his recent address, Governor Youngkin said, “Virginians—not the CCP [Chinese Communist Party]—should own the rich and vibrant agricultural lands God has blessed us with. That is why I am asking the General Assembly to send me a bill to prohibit dangerous foreign entities tied to the CCP from purchasing Virginia farmland.”

The Epoch Times reported:

The law will also require Virginia’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to publish an annual report of foreign land ownership to the governor and General Assembly. The inaugural report is due on the VDACS website by July 1. The law, once enacted, won’t affect any transactions that were completed before this year.

Virginia’s definition of foreign adversaries follows the Department of Commerce’s designation. Along with China, the current list also includes Cuba, Russia, North Korea, and a Venezuelan politician.

Chinese entities owned about 14,000 acres of agricultural land in Virginia as of the end of 2021,  according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Most of that is tied to the 2013 purchase of Smithfield Foods Inc., the largest pork producer in the United States.

RELATED: The CCP Is Funding Private Schools in America. Lawmakers Want to Stop Them. (Townhall)