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

March 19, 2019

HOUSE and SENATE

The House Education and Labor Committee Democrats released a white paper on the value of higher education and their principles for a Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization.

Three congressional hearings were held this week concerning higher education: a House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on for-profit institutions of higher education (IHEs); a House Education and Labor Committee hearing on affordability in higher education; and a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on simplifying the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Education and Labor Committee also held a “Members Day Hearing,” with Reps. Paul Mitchell (R-MI), Darren Soto (D-FL), Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Maxine Waters (D-CA) discussing their education and workforce priorities with the committee.

The House passed the For the People Act (H.R. 1) by a 234 to 193 vote, which would, in part, require IHEs to appoint “campus vote coordinators” responsible for helping students register to vote and create a competitive grant program that would encourage IHEs to sponsor large on-campus voter mobilization efforts and invite candidates to speak on campus, among other things.

The House LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a public witness fiscal year (FY) 2020 hearing on Tuesday, April 9. The deadline to submit requests to testify is Tuesday, March 19. The deadline to submit written testimony is Monday, April 8.

The Senate passed a resolution blocking the President’s emergency declaration on the southern border by a vote of 59 to 41. The resolution now heads to the President’s desk, where it is likely to be vetoed.

ADMINISTRATION

The Administration released its FY2020 budget, including the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) proposed budget. Under the proposal, ED would receive a 12 percent decrease in spending. The Administration is expected to release additional documents regarding the budget, including the budget proposals for independent agencies such as the National Endowments, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) next week.

ED announced that it will no longer enforce a provision under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act’s (ESEA) “equitable services” requirements that prevents religious organizations from providing some educational services to low-income students in private schools. ED views the provision as unconstitutional due to the result of the 2017 U.S. Supreme Court case Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia vs. Comer, which ruled that Missouri had improperly denied a church-run preschool publicly funded materials for its playground.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would increase the mandatory overtime salary threshold from $455 per week to $679 per week.

ED announced several steps it is taking in response to the closures of Argosy University and some Art Institute locations, including conducting outreach to and cancelling current term financial aid disbursements for students who were enrolled at these institutions.

ED released guidance on how it will now enforce some provisions in the Obama-era Borrower Defense to Repayment (BDR) regulations, including the provision that prevents IHEs from requiring students to settle complaints about Federal student loans through arbitration.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
White House issues priorities for Higher Education Act [Inside Higher Ed]

Reward Public Service With Free College, Says White House Hopeful Gillibrand [Education Week]

JPMorgan’s $600 million in grants for career education and community colleges [Inside Higher Ed]

California community colleges show little progress in student graduations and transfers [EdSource]

Elite Colleges Constantly Tell Low-Income Students That They Do Not Belong [The Atlantic]

‘Disgraceful’: Betsy DeVos says Education Department will investigate college admissions scandal [The Washington Post]

Advocates for students with learning disabilities fear impact of admissions scandal [Inside Higher Ed]

Cannabis 101 At The University Of Connecticut [National Public Radio]

Pelosi says she backs lowering voting age to 16 [The Hill]

Bills in California and several other states would tighten regulation on for-profit colleges [Inside Higher Ed]

Schools Grapple With Student Depression as Data Show Problem Worsening [Education Week]

Democrats in Congress Revive DREAM Act for Young Undocumented Immigrants [Education Week]

College Completion Rates Are Up, But The Numbers Will Still Surprise You [National Public Radio]

College officials believe in value of campus jobs and want funds to add more [Inside Higher Ed]

Here’s What Trump’s 2020 Budget Proposal Means for Higher Ed [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
Speaker of the House
Press Release: Pelosi Remarks at Press Event Introducing H.R. 6, The Dream and Promise Act

House Education and Labor Committee
Press Release: Examining the Cost of College and Ways to Bolster Completion

Press Release: Chairman Scott Statement on College Admissions Scandal

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions 
Press Release: Chairman Alexander Statement on White House Higher Education Reform Proposal

Press Release: Murray Statement on DeVos Finally Implementing Rule to Protect Students from Predatory For-Profit Colleges

Press Release: Murray, Portman, Clark, Young Reintroduce Legislation to Provide Support for Homeless Students and Former Foster Youth in Higher Education

Senate Committee on the Budget 
Press Release: Budget Roundup: Budget Resolution Basics

Press Release: The Trump Budget for 2020: Promises Broken. Billionaires First

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation  
Press Release: Wicker and Sinema Announce Net Neutrality Working Group

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
ED Press Release: Secretary DeVos Issues Statement on Higher Education Act Reform Principles Introduced During National Council for the American Worker Meeting

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

DOL Press Release: U.S. Department of Labor Issues Guidance Regarding Employers’ Obligations When Posting Electronic Notice under H-1B Visa Program

IES Report: “Persistence, Retention, and Attainment of 2011–12 First-Time Beginning Postsecondary Students as of Spring 2017

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:

H.R.1766 — To establish a postsecondary student data system.
Sponsor: Rep. Mitchell, Paul [R-MI-10] (Introduced 03/14/2019) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/14/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Mitchell, Krishnamoorthi, Stefanik, Harder Introduce Bipartisan College Transparency Act

H.R.1782 — To establish and strengthen projects that defray the cost of related instruction associated with pre-apprenticeship and qualified apprenticeship programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3] (Introduced 03/14/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/14/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

S.800 — A bill to establish a postsecondary student data system.
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA] (Introduced 03/14/2019) Cosponsors: (17)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 03/14/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Cassidy, Warren, Scott, Whitehouse Introduce Groundbreaking College Transparency Act

S.830 — A bill to amend the Federal Work-Study program to permit institutions of higher education to use their Federal work-study allocations for full-time, off-campus cooperative education and work-based learning.
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY] (Introduced 03/14/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 03/14/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.839 — A bill to extend Federal Pell Grant eligibility of certain short-term programs.
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA] (Introduced 03/14/2019) Cosponsors: (10)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 03/14/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1905)

H.R.1707 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for the refinancing of certain Federal student loans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2] (Introduced 03/13/2019) Cosponsors: (58)
Committees: House – Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Budget
Latest Action: House – 03/13/2019 Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and 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…
Press Release: Courtney, Warren Introduce Bill To Aid Student Loan Borrowers

H.R.1709 — To amend the America COMPETES Act to establish certain scientific integrity policies for Federal agencies that fund, conduct, or oversee scientific research, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20] (Introduced 03/13/2019) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology
Latest Action: House – 03/13/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Press Release: Tonko, Schatz Advance Bill to Safeguard Integrity of Federal Science

H.R.1718 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for clarification regarding the children to whom entitlement to educational assistance may be transferred under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program.
Sponsor: Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11] (Introduced 03/13/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Action: House – 03/13/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Press Release: Foster Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Extend Education Benefits for Military Families

H.R.1723 — To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to make institutions of higher education eligible for assistance for community food projects, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-27] (Introduced 03/13/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Agriculture
Latest Action: House – 03/13/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

H.R.1724 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve the financial aid process for homeless and foster care youth.
Sponsor: Rep. Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA-5] (Introduced 03/13/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/13/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Clark, Murray, Portman, Young Reintroduce Legislation to Provide Support for Homeless Students and Former Foster Youth

H.R.1733 — To direct the Secretary of Labor to enter into contracts with industry intermediaries for purposes of promoting the development of and access to apprenticeships in the technology sector, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] (Introduced 03/13/2019) Cosponsors: (10)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/13/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Moulton Partners with Bipartisan, Bicameral Group of Members to Introduce Tech Legislation that Addresses Workforce Shortage

H.R.1739 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against tax for charitable donations to nonprofit organizations providing workforce training and education scholarships to qualified elementary and secondary students.
Sponsor: Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-11] (Introduced 03/13/2019) Cosponsors: (7)
Committees: House – Ways and Means
Latest Action: House – 03/13/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Press Release: Smucker Introduces Bills to Build 21st Century Workforce

S.768 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for the refinancing of certain Federal student loans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA] (Introduced 03/13/2019) Cosponsors: (34)
Committees: Senate – Finance
Latest Action: Senate – 03/13/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Press Release: Warren, Courtney Introduce Bill to Aid Student Loan Borrowers

S.775 — A bill to amend the America COMPETES Act to require certain agencies to develop scientific integrity policies, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (Introduced 03/13/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate – Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Action: Senate – 03/13/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Press Release: Schatz, Tonko Introduce New Legislation To Protect Integrity Of Public Science

S.777 — A bill to direct the Secretary of Labor to enter into contracts with industry intermediaries for purposes of promoting the development of and access to apprenticeships in the technology sector, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO] (Introduced 03/13/2019) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 03/13/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Bipartisan, Bicameral Group of Members Introduce Tech Legislation to Address Workforce Shortage

S.789 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve the financial aid process for homeless and foster care youth.
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA] (Introduced 03/13/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 03/13/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.791 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for clarification regarding the children to whom entitlement to educational assistance may be transferred under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] (Introduced 03/13/2019) Cosponsors: (14)
Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Action: Senate – 03/13/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. (text: CR S1850)
Press Release: Durbin, Duckworth, Foster, McMorris Rodgers Introduce Bicameral Bill To Support Military Families By Fixing Inconsistency In GI Bill Benefit

H.R.1688 — To help provide relief to State education budgets during a recovering economy, to help fulfill the Federal mandate to provide higher educational opportunities for Native American Indians, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1] (Introduced 03/12/2019) Cosponsors: (12)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/12/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: To ease financial burden on state, DeGette files bill requiring federal government to cover tuition cost for out-of-state Native American students

S.760 — A bill to enable registered apprenticeship programs to better serve veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI] (Introduced 03/12/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 03/12/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Peters, Capito Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Apprenticeship Opportunities for Veterans

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Comment Request: High School and Beyond 2020 (HS&B:20) Base-Year Full-Scale Study Recruitment and Field Test. Comments due on or before May 20, 2019. 

ED Final Rule: Student Assistance General Provisions, Federal Perkins Loan Program, Federal Family Education Loan Program, William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, and Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant Program.

NSF Comment Request: Higher Education Research and Development Survey. Comments due on or before May 17, 2019. 

VA Comment Request: Request for Restoration of Educational Assistance (VA Form 22-0989). Comments due on or before April 15, 2019. 

ED Grant Notice: Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) program. Applications due on April 26, 2019.