NEW: In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal to allow the Biden administration to implement any of its SAVE student loan plan during appeals, the Justice Department on Tuesday asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to consider the appeal on an extremely expedited basis.

Specifically, DOJ asks for the case to be briefed, argued, and decided quickly enough that the Supreme Court could then hear any further appeal in this upcoming term — which would mean a final decision by June 2025.

What's this mean for borrowers?

It changes nothing now. In addition to being continued aggressive defense of the plan, I think this is likely part of an effort to keep affected loans in forbearance for now, given the ongoing litigation questions.

As seen in the timeline proposed by DOJ, this is another example of the current election-contingent reality for many litigants in court cases involving the federal government or even government policies. What ultimately happens with this case depends, in part, on how and whether the next administration continues the SAVE plan.