October Term 2022 · Docket 22-506
Can the Treasury cancel half a trillion dollars in student debt without new laws?
The federal government claims pandemic laws let it erase student debt. Nebraska argues Congress must pass a specific law first.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
General Prelogar argued the pandemic caused severe economic distress for millions.
She stated that many Americans struggled to pay rent and utilities.
She claimed the distinction between regulation and benefits matters here.
Mr. Campbell argued the Secretary is bypassing Congress on a major policy question.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 126, lines 33-53 — Transcript, file page 126, lines 33-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 127, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 127, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 39-21 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 39-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 27-47 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 27-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 25-45 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 25-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 27-47 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 27-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 13-37 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 13-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 13-49 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 13-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 39-9 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 39-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 49-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 49-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 39-25 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 39-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-51 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-51
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The federal government says pandemic-era laws let it cancel student debt. Nebraska says Congress must pass a specific law first. The Court must decide if the Treasury can act alone.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 39-25 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 39-25
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 28, 2023.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 49-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 49-31
What each side wants
The federal government wants to keep the debt cancellation plan active.
Nebraska wants the Court to block the debt cancellation plan.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 39-25 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 39-25
What each side says
The federal government argues pandemic laws give the Treasury power to cancel debt.
Nebraska argues the major questions doctrine requires explicit congressional approval for such large spending.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 39-25 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 39-25
What the justices asked
Justice Alito asked if Congress knew about the major questions doctrine.
Justice Sotomayor asked how the government handles the massive dollar amount involved.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 126, lines 33-53 — Transcript, file page 126, lines 33-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 127, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 127, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 39-21 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 39-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 27-47 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 27-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 25-45 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 25-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 27-47 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 27-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 13-37 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 13-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 13-49 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 13-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 39-9 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 39-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-51 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-51
Why it matters
This case decides if the executive branch can cancel massive debts without new legislation. It defines the limits of presidential power over federal spending. It affects millions of borrowers and the balance of power between branches.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 39-25 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 39-25
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 126, lines 33-53 — Transcript, file page 126, lines 33-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 127, lines 25-39 — Transcript, file page 127, lines 25-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 39-21 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 39-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 27-47 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 27-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 25-45 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 25-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 27-47 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 27-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 13-37 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 13-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 13-49 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 13-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 17-29 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 17-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 39-9 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 39-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 49-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 49-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 25-51 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 25-51
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 39-25 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 39-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 125, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 125, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 131, lines 49-9 — Transcript, file page 131, lines 49-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 23-15 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 23-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 39-25 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 39-25
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.