Below is an abridged version of RAMC’s weekly Washington Wrap Up. Find out more about Wrap Up and other RAMC resources here.

HOUSE

The House Republican Steering Committee has selected former House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) to be the Chairwoman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee in the 115th Congress.

The Continuing Resolution could extend through April.

Chairman Kline, Ranking Member Scott and HELP Committee Chairman Alexander issued statements congratulating Representative Tom Price (R-GA) on his nomination to become the next U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) issued a statement congratulating Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) on his election to serve as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee for the 115th Congress.

SENATE

HELP Committee Ranking Member Murray released a statement saying that she looked forward to meeting with and evaluating HHS Secretary Nominee Representative Price.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released the results of its investigation on the cost projections of the Income Driven Repayment (IDR) plans administered by ED. GAO found that current IDR plan budget estimates are more than double what was originally expected for loans made in fiscal years 2009 through 2016. GAO also identified weaknesses in ED’s approach to estimating IDR plan costs and quality control practices.

PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP’S TRANSITION TEAM UPDATES

Thomas Wheeler and Townsend McNitt were announced as new additions to the education Transition team for President-elect Trump.

Politico reported that Gerard Robinson has left the education Transition team.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]

Community College Equity Assessment Lab (CCEAL) Report: “Struggling to survive – striving to succeed: Food and housing insecurities in the community college”

College Completion Rates Recover After Slide [Inside Higher Ed]

For-profit college students make a last-ditch attempt at faster debt relief [The Washington Post]

Rep. Virginia Foxx Will Lead the House Education Committee [Education Week]

With Trump’s Title IX stance unknown, video aims to educate about sexual harassment at school [EdSource]

Trump’s plan intended to reduce high cost of child care through tax breaks [EdSource]

Video: Supporting Undocumented Students [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

To reduce mental health stigma among veterans, higher education must be the catalyst [The Hill]

The uncertain future of the Office for Civil Rights [The Atlantic]

See Betsy DeVos’ Donations to Senators Who Will Oversee Her Confirmation [Education Week]

The surprising growth of graduate enrollment at for-profit colleges [The Washington Post]
Center for American Progress Report: “The Unlikely Area in Which For-Profit Colleges Are Doing Just Fine”

Speculation and starting points: accreditation, a new administration and a new Congress [The Hill]

Udacity and boot camps offer money-back guarantees for job placement [Inside Higher Ed]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor

House Education and the Workforce Committee
Press Release: Scott, Bonamici Lead Efforts to Protect Student Loan Borrowers, Reduce Default Rates

Press Release: Scott Statement on New Chair of Education & Workforce Committee

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Press Release: Alexander on Selection of Rep. Virginia Foxx as Chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration

Department of Education

• Press Release: Education Department Releases Final Regulations to Promote a High-Quality, Well-Rounded Education and Support All
• Blog: Committing to More Adult Schools by 2020

White House

• Press Release: Fact Sheet: Celebrating President Obama’s Top 10 Actions to Advance Entrepreneurship, and Announcing New Steps to Build on These Successes
• Press Release: Fact Sheet: Progress and Momentum in Support of TechHire Initiative

Institute of Education Sciences

• Report: Use of Private Loans by Postsecondary Students: Selected Years 2003-04 through 2011-12
• Practice Guide: Strategies for Postsecondary Students in Developmental Education-A Practice Guide for College and University Administrators, Advisors, and Faculty

Legislative Movement in Congress

H.R.5047 — Protecting Veterans’ Educational Choice Act of 2016
Sponsor: Rep. Hice, Jody B. [R-GA-10] (Introduced 04/25/2016) Cosponsors: (24)
Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs Committee Reports: H. Rept. 114-813
Latest Action: 12/01/2016 Received in the Senate.
 

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices

DOL Comment Request: Job Corps Application Data. Comments due January 30, 2017.

ED Comment Request: William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program—150% Limitation. Comments due January 31, 2017.

ED Comment Request: Student Assistance General Provisions—Subpart J—Approval of Independently Administered Tests. Comments due January 3, 2017.