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Cite as: 546 U. S. 142 (2005)

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Opinion of the Court to the Debt Collection Act time bar in the student loan context. The Court declines to read any meaning into a failed 2004 congressional ef­ fort to amend the latter Act to explicitly authorize offset of debts over 10 years old. See, e. g., United States v. Craft, 535 U. S. 274, 287. Pp. 146–147. 376 F. 3d 1027, afﬁrmed. O’Connor, J., delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court. Scalia, J., ﬁled a concurring opinion, post, p. 147.

Brian Wolfman argued the cause for petitioner. With him on the briefs was Scott L. Nelson. Lisa S. Blatt argued the cause for respondents. With her on the brief were Solicitor General Clement, Assistant At­ torney General Keisler, Deputy Solicitor General Hun­ gar, Barbara C. Biddle, Kent D. Talbert, and Arnold I. Havens.* Justice O’Connor delivered the opinion of the Court. We consider whether the United States may offset Social Security beneﬁts to collect a student loan debt that has been outstanding for over 10 years. I

A

Petitioner James Lockhart failed to repay federally rein­ sured student loans that he had incurred between 1984 and 1989 under the Guaranteed Student Loan Program. These loans were eventually reassigned to the Department of Edu­ cation, which certiﬁed the debt to the Department of the Treasury through the Treasury Offset Program. In 2002, the Government began withholding a portion of petitioner’s Social Security payments to offset his debt, some of which was more than 10 years delinquent. et al. as amici curiae urging reversal.
 * Stuart Rossman ﬁled a brief for the National Consumer Law Center