Federal appeals court rules against Biden student debt relief program

The Save plan - a means-tested program - was blocked from further implementation by Republican-appointed judges

A federal appeals court has sided with Republican-controlled states to deliver another setback to Joe Biden's student loan relief plan designed to reduce monthly payments for millions of lower-income graduates and speed up debt forgiveness for some borrowers.

A unanimous, unsigned ruling issued on Friday by three Republican-appointed judges in Missouri blocked further implementation of the Saving on a Valuable Education (Save) plan - the Department of Education's means-tested debt relief program that is being challenged by seven Republican-led states.