Biden uses sweeping clemency powers for the first time

Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.) initially raised the issue with Biden during the meeting at the White House. In an interview, Cardenas said he first asked the president to extend the moratorium past the Aug. 31 expiration date, and Biden responded with a smile, “Well, Tony, I’ve extended it every time.” …

Another lawmaker in attendance, Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.), said Biden’s response to lawmakers’ requests to cancel at least some student debt was essentially that he would like to do it sooner rather than later. The president suggested he is looking to take the executive action soon, telling the Hispanic lawmakers that they would be very happy with what he does next, according to aides briefed on the meeting.

Still, Biden stressed that the timing of any announcement on student loan relief was sensitive, since he would not want it to add to inflationary pressures.

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