President Biden's proposed regulation for student loan cancellation, which aims to cancel or reduce loans for more than 25 million Americans, has been filed by the Education Department. The plan includes targeted relief for various categories of borrowers, such as those with high interest, long repayment periods, and low financial value programs. The proposal is expected to go through a public comment period and review before being finalized, with the Biden administration aiming to start implementing some parts as early as this fall. Republicans are opposed to broad student loan cancellation, while the White House is confident in the plan's legal standing.
President Biden's latest plan for student loan cancellation is advancing as a proposed regulation, aiming to fulfill a campaign promise and engage young voters before the November election. The Education Department has filed paperwork for a new regulation that would cancel or reduce loans for over 25 million Americans, with categories including eliminating interest for those owing more than they borrowed, canceling loans for long-term payers, and providing relief for those eligible for federal forgiveness programs. The proposal, which still needs to go through public comment and review, has faced opposition from conservatives who view it as unfair to taxpayers.
A proposed regulation by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to limit miners' exposure to silica dust, a major cause of black lung disease, may fall short in addressing the severity of the issue. While mine safety advocates welcome the new exposure limit, the proposed rule is predicted to save only 63 coal miner lives and prevent 244 cases of black lung disease over 60 years, which is significantly lower than the actual prevalence of the disease. Critics argue that the rule's enforcement provisions are weak and its reach is too expansive, potentially failing to protect miners from the harmful effects of silica dust.
