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

August 7, 2018

HOUSE and SENATE
The House and Senate will be in recess next week. The Senate will return the week of August 13, and the House will return the week of September 4.

ADMINISTRATION
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) issued a notice of its intent to establish a negotiating rulemaking committee on regulatory issues related to accreditation, competency-based education, credit hour, State authorization for distance education, TEACH grants and other matters. ED is seeking public comment on these issues by September 14.

The President signed into law the Strengthening Career and Technical Education (CTE) for the 21^st Century Act (H.R. 2353).

The U.S. Department of Treasury released a report that focused on ED’s oversight of the Federal student loan program and called on Congress to hold institutions of higher education (IHEs) more accountable for the Federal funding they receive, voicing that IHEs do not provide good value to student loan borrowers.

The White House released a memo asking Federal agencies to prioritize science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, including computer science, and workforce development as the agencies develop their Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 budget submissions and carry out research and development.

The Federal Commission on School Safety held a site visit in Arkansas. The Commission is also scheduled to hold a public listening session in Wyoming on August 7.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Judge Orders DACA Be Restored [Inside Higher Ed]

U. of Texas System Picks Former CUNY Leader as Its Next Chancellor [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Court ruling suggests cross-examination will be hot topic for colleges [Inside Higher Ed]

Historian On Think Tank Resignation Over Former Trump Official’s Hiring [National Public Radio]

California’s online community college will break new ground in higher ed [EdSource]

Perspective | Despite strong economy, worrying financial signs for higher education [The Washington Post]

What Happens When a College Flip-Flops on Using Race in Admissions? [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Trump Officials To Learn About Safety At School Where Staff Has Access To Guns [Huffington Post]

Senate GOP, Dems reach deal to move major domestic spending bill [The Hill]

Colleges and Universities Woo Once-Overlooked Transfer Students [The New York Times]

Trump to Nominate U. of Oklahoma Weather Expert to Top Science and Tech Post [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Report: Gainful Employment Repeal Would Cost $4.7B [Inside Higher Ed]

Lotteries May Be the Fairest Way to Fix Elite-College Admissions [The Atlantic]

Trump: ‘I would have no problem doing a shutdown’ [Politico]

Donald Trump Signs First Major Education Policy Bill of His Presidency [Education Week]

IRS to issue rules on education-savings plans [The Hill]

Online providers, consumer advocates at odds over Education Department regulatory proposal [Inside Higher Ed]

Issues of Accreditation Predominate in New Rulemaking Announced by Education Dept. [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

For Many College Students, Hunger ‘Makes It Hard To Focus’ [National Public Radio]

Income inequality subject of wider academic inquiry [Inside Higher Ed]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
The House and Senate are currently in recess. The Senate will return the week of August 13, and the House will return the week of September 4.

Senate Committee on Appropriations
Budget Bulletin: Appropriations with Expired Authorizations

Press Release: Senate Passes Another Appropriations Package, Approves Four More Bipartisan Funding Bills

Press Release: Appropriations Vice Chairman Leahy (D-Vt.) Statement On Senate Passage Of The Interior, THUD, FSGG & Agriculture “Minibus” Appropriations Bill

House Education and the Workforce Committee
Press Release: Ranking Member Scott: DeVos Regulatory Agenda is an Ominous Sign for Students and Taxpayers

Blog: Watch: “The legislation we are here to send to the President’s desk is a true difference-maker.”

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Press Release: Senators Concerned About Validity of Information from Trump Administration, Question Criteria for Deeming Separated Families “Ineligible for Reunification”

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
ED Blog: Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act Signed into Law

ED Media Advisory: Federal Commission on School Safety to Hold Third Public Listening Session

White House Press Release: President Donald J. Trump Signs H.R. 2353 into Law

White House Remarks: Remarks by President Trump at Workforce Development Event

IES Report: Literacy and Numeracy Skills of U.S. Men and Women

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.4824 — Rural Broadband Permitting Efficiency Act of 2018
Sponsor: Rep. Curtis, John R. [R-UT-3] (Introduced 01/18/2018) Cosponsors: (12)
Committees: House – Natural Resources, Agriculture Committee Reports: H. Rept. 115-881
Latest Action:  House – 08/03/2018 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 679.

H.Con.Res.127 — Condemning gun violence and its impact on youth by supporting the enactment of legislation to prevent future school and neighborhood shootings.
Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24] (Introduced 06/28/2018) Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce, Judiciary, Energy and Commerce
Latest Action:  House – 08/02/2018 Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

S.3318 — A bill to authorize the use of veterans educational assistance for examinations to receive credit toward degrees awarded by institutions of higher learning, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE] (Introduced 08/01/2018) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Action:  Senate – 08/01/2018 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

S.3328 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance the payment of monthly housing stipends under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI] (Introduced 08/01/2018) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Action:  Senate – 08/01/2018 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

S.3308 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for teacher and school leader quality enhancement and to enhance institutional aid.
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA] (Introduced 07/31/2018) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 07/31/2018 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Kaine Introduces Bill To Address Nationwide Teacher And Principal Shortages

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Notice: Annual Updates to the Income Contingent Repayment (ICR) Plan Formula for 2018-William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

ED Grant Notice: Grants to States for School Emergency Management (GSEM) program. Applications due September 4, 2018.

DoD Final Rule: Provision of Early Intervention Services to Eligible Infants and Toddlers With Disabilities and Their Families, and Special Education Children With Disabilities Within the Section 6 School Arrangements

ED Comment Request: Negotiated Rulemaking Committee and subcommittees to prepare proposed regulations for the Federal Student Aid programs. Comments due September 14, 2018.