The cost of such forgiveness would run into the hundreds of billions of dollars, based on an administration official's estimate.

About one in five White House aides required to file a disclosure reported student loans, and more than half are people of color.

A review of 1,000 hospitals by Patient Rights Advocate found that only 14% were fully complying with the rule.

The tax credit covers 100% of up to $511 in daily wages per employee for those small- and medium-sized firms.

The order comes after an earlier attempt to force pharmaceutical companies to make reductions didn't yield results.