Filed Date: Sept. 30, 2022
Closed Date: Jan. 24, 2023
Clearinghouse coding complete
Led by Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Arizona challenges President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan. In their September 30, 2022, complaint, Plaintiff alleged that the state would lose tax revenue because student loan debt forgiveness can't be taxed until 2025; that the program would increase inflation, which would hurt the state's economy; and that recruiting for government jobs would be hurt by the devaluation of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Arizona alleged that the loan forgiveness plan was not a constitutional use of the spending power, that it violated the non-delegation and separation of powers doctrines, and that it violated the Administrative Procedure Act because the Secretary of Education exceeded his statutory authority and the plan is arbitrary and capricious. Arizona sought declaratory judgment as well as temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunction against the debt nullification, in addition to attorney's fees.
On January 10, 2023, the plaintiffs filed a notice of voluntary dismissal. Thus, on January 24, the case was officially closed.
Summary Authors
Sophia Bucci (11/30/2022)
Clara Swetnam-Burland (4/19/2026)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/65390898/parties/arizona-state-of-v-biden/
Logan, Steven Paul (Arizona)
Ensign, Drew Curtis (Arizona)
Francis, Jillian Brittany (Arizona)
Kanefield, Joseph Andrew (Arizona)
Knapp, Cody Taylor (Arizona)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/65390898/arizona-state-of-v-biden/
Last updated April 19, 2026, 7:39 p.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Public Benefits/Government Services
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Biden Student Loan Forgiveness Plan challenges
Key Dates
Filing Date: Sept. 30, 2022
Closing Date: Jan. 24, 2023
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The State of Arizona, led by the Attorney General Mark Brnovich
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
United States
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens
Constitutional Clause(s):
Spending/Appropriations Clauses
Other Dockets:
District of Arizona 2:22-cv-01661
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Defendant
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Case Summary of State of Arizona v. Biden, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/43903/ (last updated 4/19/2026).