U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman blocked President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan Thursday, saying it usurped Congress’ power to make laws.

The judge also said Biden did not follow procedures that allow time for public comment, making the policy unlawful. The program was already on hold because of cases being tried in St. Louis by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The White House is still encouraging people to apply for aid. The Justice Department said it will be appealing the case. 

Who brought the case? The Job Creators Network Foundation filed the Texas lawsuit in October on behalf of two people who don’t qualify for the benefits. The borrowers said that without the time of public comment, they did not get a chance to disagree with the eligibility criteria.

This story originally appeared in WORLD. © 2022, reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.