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

March 11, 2019

HOUSE and SENATE
The House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee held a hearing on student loan servicers this week. The hearing largely focused on the recent U.S. Department of Education (ED) Inspector General (IG) report.

The House LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee held a hearing on gun violence. The hearing focused on a discussion of the tools and resources needed to improve understanding of the causes, impacts, and scope of gun violence.

The House Committee on Financial Services held a hearing focused on the biannual review of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This was CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger first appearance before the Committee since taking office in December.

The LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee announced a March 28^th deadline for House Member requests for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 LHHS Appropriations bill.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that the Senate will pass a resolution blocking President Donald Trump’s emergency declaration on the southern border.

ADMINISTRATION
President Trump announced that he will issue an executive order that reportedly will deny research Federal funds to IHEs that do not support free speech. The details of the order, or when it will be issued, are presently unclear, but Inside Higher Ed has reported that it is possible that it addresses other higher education – related matters such as risk-sharing and program level outcomes reporting.

ED announced the appointment of Mark Brown to be the new head of Federal Student Aid (FSA) with the departure of former acting FSA head Jim Manning. Brown is a retired major general in the U.S. Air Force.

This week a Federal judge ruled that most of California’s legal challenge to ED’s failure to cancel loan debt of former Corinthian College students can proceed. U.S. Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim largely rejected the President Trump administration’s effort to dismiss the lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra.

A United States District Court for the District of Columbia Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled that ED’s 2018 decision to delay regulations regarding disproportionality in the identification of students with disabilities was arbitrary and capricious and that ED failed to provide a “reasoned explanation” for the delay.  Pending an appeal by ED and a stay of this decision by the courts, this decision would require the Obama-era disproportionality rules to go into effect.

The National Assessment Governing Board selected Lesley Muldoon as its new executive director. Muldoon will be responsible for overseeing the execution of policies and projects initiated by the independent and nonpartisan Board.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Trump to seek $8.6 billion to finish border wall before 2020 election [Politico]

Four Things to Watch for in Trump’s 2020 Spending Plan for Schools [Education Week]

House Democrats’ Vision for Higher Education Act [Inside Higher Ed]

Argosy University closes its doors; students scramble to transfer [The Washington Post]

Where Have All the Men Without College Degrees Gone? [The Atlantic]

Let Minority-Serving Colleges Be a Model for Teacher Prep, Report Says [Education Week]

Free community college bill passes West Virginia legislature [The Hill]

Community colleges can cost more than universities, leaving neediest students homeless [The Los Angeles Times]

Hackers Broke Into Admissions Databases at 3 Colleges — and Then Offered to Sell Applicants Their Files [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

12 Groups Oppose Trump Idea on Campus Speech [Inside Higher Ed]

Schatz reintroduces debt-free college bill [Inside Higher Ed]

‘The department must do more’: Trump administration’s handling of Argosy University faces criticism [The Washington Post]

The Stigma of Choosing Trade School Over College [The Atlantic]

Michigan Governor Proposes Tuition-Free Community College [Inside Higher Ed]

Why a Plagiarism-Detection Company Is Now a Billion-Dollar Business [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

The first lady watched school kids coloring in Tulsa. The Turks saw links to terrorism. [The Washington Post]

One Reason Rural Students Don’t Go To College: Colleges Don’t Go To Them [National Public Radio]

New Pick to Lead Office of Federal Student Aid [Inside Higher Ed]

As Elite Campuses Diversify, A ‘Bias Towards Privilege’ Persists [National Public Radio]

California court ruling could deter college students from reporting sexual assault [The Sacramento Bee]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
House Education and Labor Committee 
Press Release: Don’t Stop Believin’: Committee Report Confirms College is Still Well Worth the Cost

Press Release: Chairman Scott Statement on Closing of Dream Center-Owned College Chain

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions 
Press Release: Murray, Davis Request Information from U.S. Department of Education on Mismanagement of Federal Student Loan Program

House Committee on The Budget 
Press Release: Statement from Chairman Yarmuth on the President’s 2020 Budget

House Committee on Appropriations 
Press Release: Lowey Statement on President Trump’s 2020 Budget Request

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation  
Press Release: Subcommittee Announces Hearing on Broadband in Rural America

House Committee on Energy & Commerce 
Press Release: Bicameral Democratic Leaders to Hold Press Event Announcing Legislation to Restore Net Neutrality Protections

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
ED Press Release: Secretary DeVos Names Mark A. Brown the New Chief Operating Officer of FSA

White House Press Release: Administration Presents President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Request

White House Speech: Remarks by President Trump at an American Workforce Policy Advisory Board Meeting

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.1652 — To reauthorize and improve a grant program to assist institutions of higher education in establishing, maintaining, improving, and operating Veteran Student Centers.
Sponsor: Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-21] (Introduced 03/08/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/08/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Reps. Frankel, Bilirakis Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Student Veterans

H.R.1660 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow employers a credit against income tax for employees who participate in qualified apprenticeship programs.
Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24] (Introduced 03/08/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Ways and Means
Latest Action: House – 03/08/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.1592 — To direct the Secretary of Education to establish a pilot program to award competitive grants for the integration of cybersecurity education, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2] (Introduced 03/07/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/07/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Langevin, Thompson Introduce Bill to Strengthen Cybersecurity Education in CTE Programs

H.R.1605 — To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow parents of eligible military dependent children to establish Military Education Savings Accounts, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Banks, Jim [R-IN-3] (Introduced 03/07/2019) Cosponsors: (23)
Committees: House – Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Appropriations
Latest Action: House – 03/07/2019 Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction…
Press Release: Rep. Jim Banks Reintroduces Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act

H.R.1634 — To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to provide for the establishment of Youth Corps programs and provide for wider dissemination of the Youth Corps model.
Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24] (Introduced 03/07/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/07/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.1635 — To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to create a pilot program to award grants to units of general local government and community-based organizations to create jobs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24] (Introduced 03/07/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/07/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.1637 — To amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require States to designate public high schools as voter registration agencies, to direct such schools to conduct voter registration drives for students attending such schools, to direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to reimburse such schools for the costs of conducting such voter registration drives, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24] (Introduced 03/07/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – House Administration, Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/07/2019 Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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.Res.191 — Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives relating to protecting freedom of speech, thought, and expression at institutions of higher education.
Sponsor: Rep. Roe, David P. [R-TN-1] (Introduced 03/07/2019) Cosponsors: (21)
Committees: House – Education and Labor, Judiciary
Latest Action: House – 03/07/2019 Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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…
Press Release: Roe Reintroduces Resolution Promoting Free Speech on College Campuses

S.706 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to disclose hazing incidents, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN] (Introduced 03/07/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 03/07/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.718 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make college affordable and accessible.
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI] (Introduced 03/07/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 03/07/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.720 — A bill to require the student loan ombudsman of the Department of Education to provide student loan data to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM] (Introduced 03/07/2019) Cosponsors: (9)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 03/07/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Udall, Warren, Brown Introduce Legislation to Protect Student Borrowers’ Rights and Hold Loan Servicers Accountable

H.R.762 — Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act of 2019
Sponsor: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-8] (Introduced 01/24/2019) Cosponsors: (26)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce | Senate – Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Action: Senate – 03/06/2019 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Press Release: House Passes Cartwright Bill to Make Schools More Energy Efficient

H.R.1554 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for interest-free deferment on student loans for borrowers serving in a medical or dental internship or residency program.
Sponsor: Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36] (Introduced 03/06/2019) Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/06/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.1565 — To establish a new higher education data system to allow for more accurate, complete, and secure data on student retention, graduation, and earnings outcomes, at all levels of postsecondary enrollment, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Hunter, Duncan D. [R-CA-50] (Introduced 03/06/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Education and Labor, Armed Services, Veterans’ Affairs, Ways and Means
Latest Action: House – 03/06/2019 Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Veterans’ Affairs, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within…
Press Release: Hunter Introduces Education Legislation Protecting College Students

H.R.1571 — To establish State-Federal partnerships to provide students the opportunity to attain higher education at in-State public institutions of higher education without debt, to provide Federal Pell Grant eligibility to DREAMer students, to repeal suspension of eligibility under the Higher Education Act of 1965 for drug-related offenses, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2] (Introduced 03/06/2019) Cosponsors: (32)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/06/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Schatz and Pocan Reintroduce Legislation to End Student Loan Debt Crisis

S.672 — A bill to establish State-Federal partnerships to provide students the opportunity to attain higher education at in-State public institutions of higher education without debt, to provide Federal Pell Grant eligibility to DREAMer students, to repeal suspension of eligibility under the Higher Education Act of 1965 for drug-related offenses, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (Introduced 03/06/2019) Cosponsors: (9)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 03/06/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Schatz, Pocan Reintroduce Legislation To End Student Loan Debt Crisis

S.681 — A bill to establish a new higher education data system to allow for more accurate, complete, and secure data on student retention, graduation, and earnings outcomes, at all levels of postsecondary enrollment, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] (Introduced 03/06/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 03/06/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Wyden, Rubio, Warner Reintroduce “Student Right to Know Before You Go Act” to Empower Students as Consumers

H.R.1501 — To allow certain off-duty law enforcement officers and retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed firearm to protect children in a school zone.
Sponsor: Rep. Hartzler, Vicky [R-MO-4] (Introduced 03/05/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Judiciary
Latest Action: House – 03/05/2019 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

H.R.1532 — To establish the Social Work Reinvestment Commission to provide independent counsel to Congress and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on policy issues related to recruitment, retention, research, and reinvestment in the profession of social work, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13] (Introduced 03/05/2019) Cosponsors: (12)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/05/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Congresswoman Lee Celebrates Social Work Month, Reintroduces Measures to Support Social Workers

H.Res.169 — Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the need for increased diversity and inclusion in the tech sector, and increased access to opportunity in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education.
Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13] (Introduced 03/04/2019) Cosponsors: (7)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/04/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Notice: Tests Determined To Be Suitable for Use in the National Reporting System for Adult Education

ED Comment Request: E-Complaint Form (FERPA) and PPRA E-Complaint Form. Comments due on or before April 5, 2019.

DOL Comment Request: Evaluation of Strategies Used in TechHire and Strengthening Working Families Initiative (SWFI) Grant Programs. Comments due on or before May 6, 2019.