Senate Democrats, joined by a handful of Republicans, voted on Wednesday to reverse a Department of Education rule they say reduces protections for student borrowers.

Senators voted 53-42 to block the rule, which was crafted by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Elizabeth (Betsy) Dee DeVosFormer DeVos chief of staff joins anti-Trump group Ex-Pence aide throws support behind Biden, citing Trump's virus response OVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' MORE.

The bill has already passed the House, sending it to President Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE’s desk. The White House has warned that they will recommend he veto the bill.

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The rule would put restrictions on an Obama-era "borrower defense" rule that was meant to regulate the for-profit sector and protect students who had been misled by colleges. DeVos has argued that students should have to prove they were financially harmed.

The more restrictive rule would give full relief only to students who earn much less than students in similar programs. Under the new formula, the remaining students would have no more than 75 percent of their loans forgiven.

“DeVos has decided to change the way that students have to go through proving up their losses, and that’s why we’re here today,” Sen. Dick Durbin Richard (Dick) Joseph DurbinMcConnell focuses on confirming judicial nominees with COVID-19 talks stalled Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Top GOP senator calls for Biden to release list of possible Supreme Court picks MORE (D-Ill.) said on the Senate floor.

Republicans largely supported the Trump administration rule, arguing the changes helped protect against potential abuse of taxpayer dollars.

"I don't have any doubt about the intent of the law and that the intention is good, but the concept is far too broad ... [and] is ripe for abuse," said Sen. John Cornyn John CornynAirline job cuts loom in battleground states Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll MORE (R-Texas).

Because Democrats are forcing the vote under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to try to strike down executive regulations, they only need a simple majority rather than the 60 votes normally required by the Senate.