The Department of Education is temporarily forgoing student loan forgiveness for borrowers under the Income-Based Repayment plan, also known as IBR. The department issued guidance stating that IBR forgiveness is paused while payment records are being updated.

Months later, the Education Department has unveiled drafted plans for the student loan forgiveness program that does just that. Proponents claim the proposed legislation would give one person unilateral power to remove organizations’ eligibility from the program as a form of political retaliation.

The pause impacts millions seeking relief under one of the last remaining federal income-driven repayment options not blocked by legal challenges.