October Term 2022 · Docket 22-535
Does the HEROES Act authorize federal student loan forgiveness?
The Department of Education argues the HEROES Act allows loan forgiveness. Brown and Taylor argue it does not.
Verified source milestones
- — 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
The Department of Education argues the HEROES Act authorizes the program.
Brown and Taylor argue the HEROES Act does not authorize the program.
Justice Jackson questioned the nature of the challengers' injury.
Justice Gorsuch questioned the scope of the universal decree.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 13-25 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 13-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 55-15 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 55-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 25-43 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 25-43
- 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 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 11-1 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 11-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 17-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 37-21 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 37-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 35-49 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 35-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 33-7 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 33-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-51 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 23-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 84, lines 35-13 — Transcript, file page 84, lines 35-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-17
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The Department of Education seeks to uphold the loan forgiveness program. Brown and Taylor seek to strike it down.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 11-1 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 11-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 37-21 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 37-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 84, lines 35-13 — Transcript, file page 84, lines 35-13
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 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 17-25
What each side wants
The Department of Education wants the Court to uphold the loan forgiveness program.
Brown and Taylor want the Court to invalidate the loan forgiveness program.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 11-1 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 11-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 37-21 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 37-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 84, lines 35-13 — Transcript, file page 84, lines 35-13
What each side says
The Department of Education argues the HEROES Act authorizes the loan forgiveness program.
Brown and Taylor argue the HEROES Act does not authorize the loan forgiveness program.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 11-1 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 11-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 37-21 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 37-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 84, lines 35-13 — Transcript, file page 84, lines 35-13
What the justices asked
Justice Jackson asked if the challengers complain about insufficient forgiveness or procedures.
Justice Gorsuch asked how two individuals can obtain a universal decree.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 13-25 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 13-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 55-15 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 55-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 25-43 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 25-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 17-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 35-49 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 35-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 33-7 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 33-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-51 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 23-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-17
Why it matters
The outcome determines whether the HEROES Act authorizes federal student loan forgiveness.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 11-1 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 11-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 37-21 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 37-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 84, lines 35-13 — Transcript, file page 84, lines 35-13
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 11, lines 9-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 13-25 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 13-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 55-15 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 55-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 25-43 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 25-43
- 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 17-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 17-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 35-49 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 35-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 33-7 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 33-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 17-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 17-25 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 17-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-51 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 23-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-17 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-17
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 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 11-1 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 11-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 37-21 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 37-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 84, lines 35-13 — Transcript, file page 84, lines 35-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 11-1 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 11-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 37-21 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 37-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 84, lines 35-13 — Transcript, file page 84, lines 35-13
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.