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

February 26, 2019

HOUSE and SENATE
The House and Senate were in recess last week.

The House Education and Labor Committee made a bipartisan announcement that it will hold five higher education hearings in the near future as a first formal step in an effort to reauthorize the Higher Education Act (HEA) this Congress. The five hearings will cover: 1) the cost of college; 2) accountability in higher education; 3) improving student outcomes; 4) the role of community colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority-Serving Institutions; and 5) innovation in higher education. Dates for these hearings have not been announced.

Congressional Democrats sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos regarding their concern that the U.S. Department of Education (ED) was trying to influence an ongoing Inspector General (IG) investigation into the reinstatement of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as a federally recognized accreditor.

ADMINISTRATION
ED held the second session of full committee negotiated rulemaking last week.

ED announced a new contract with Accenture Federal Services to develop a new web portal for students to manage their Federal student loans and receive customer service. ED is still in the process of soliciting proposals on payment processing, loan servicing and call center functions.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Most Americans Think Government Support for Public Colleges Is Rising or Flat. They’re Wrong. [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Survey finds that most Americans say colleges shouldn’t consider race in admissions [Inside Higher Ed]

This court ruling could have big implications for public-service loan forgiveness [The Washington Post]

Latinx, black college students leave STEM majors more than white students [Inside Higher Ed]

Does Higher Ed Need to Rediscover Generosity? [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

College groups raise access concerns over Alexander accountability plan [Inside Higher Ed]

Contract Awarded for New Student Borrower Website [Inside Higher Ed]

New initiative to help single moms succeed in community colleges [Inside Higher Ed]

Building a Career, One Academic Step at a Time [The New York Times]

Veterans groups ask VA secretary to keep GI benefits out of the hands of predatory colleges [The Washington Post]

Colleges Expand Their Reach to Address Mental Health Issues [The New York Times]

California’s black students lag in college completion despite some gains [EdSource]

Georgia Perimeter improves graduation and transfer rates after merging with Georgia State [Inside Higher Ed]

Texas community colleges warn they may consider tuition hikes in the face of property tax reform [The Texas Tribune]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
House Education and Labor Committee 
Press Release: Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Foxx Announce Five Bipartisan Hearings on Higher Education

Press Release: House, Senate Democrats Send Secretary DeVos Second Request for Information Regarding Attempt to Undermine Independence of Education Department Watchdog

House Committee on The Budget 
Press Release: Chairman Yarmuth and Chairman Smith Denounce Trump Budget’s Planned Use of Defense Budget Gimmick

House Committee on Appropriations 
Press Release: Lowey Statement on Trump Administration’s Proposed Budget Cuts

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation  
Press Release: Commerce Leaders Seek Answers on Google Nest Undisclosed Microphones

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
ED Media Advisory: Secretary DeVos to Celebrate CTE Month with Career and Technical Education Leaders in Virginia

ED Blog: How I Found My Passion Through CTE

IES Report: Status and Trends in the Education of Racial and Ethnic Groups 2018

IES Director Remarks: “PISA Is a Unique Resource for Testing Educational Attainment of 15-Year-Olds in 78 Countries. Adding 40 More Would Be a Mistake”

IES Brochure: Technology and K-12 Education: The NCES Ed Tech Equity Initiative

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.1336 — To require the Federal Government to provide mental health services to each child who has been separated from one or more parent as a result of implementation of the Trump Administration’s zero tolerance policy at the United States border, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Barragan, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44] (Introduced 02/25/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce, Judiciary
Latest Action: House – 02/25/2019 Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee…

H.R.1338 — To provide for automatic continuing appropriations, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Brooks, Mo [R-AL-5] (Introduced 02/25/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Appropriations, Budget
Latest Action: House – 02/25/2019 Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Press Release: Federal Workers and Contractors Shouldn’t be Bargaining Chips: Brooks Reintroduces “End Federal Government Shutdowns Act”

S.537 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide the work opportunity tax credit with respect to hiring veterans who are receiving educational assistance under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or Defense.
Sponsor: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV] (Introduced 02/25/2019) Cosponsors: (5)
Committees: Senate – Finance
Latest Action: Senate – 02/25/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Press Release: Rosen, Colleagues Introduce the Bipartisan Hire Student Veterans Act

S.538 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a credit for employer-provided worker training.
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA] (Introduced 02/25/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Finance
Latest Action: Senate – 02/25/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Press Release: Warner Re-Introduces Bills to Prepare Americans for the Future of Work

S.545 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award institutions of higher education grants for teaching English learners.
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV] (Introduced 02/25/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 02/25/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Comment Request: Fiscal Operations Report for 2018-2019 and Application to Participate 2020-2021 (FISAP) and Reallocation Form. Comments due on or before April 23, 2019. 

DOL Comment Request: Apprenticeship Powered by Industry (API) Data Collection. Comments due on or before April 22, 2019.