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

April 2, 2019

HOUSE and SENATE
Senate Budget Committee Chair Mike Enzi (R-WY) said that informal conversations have begun between Republicans and Democrats about raising the discretionary spending caps for fiscal years (FY) 2020 and 2021.

The House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a public witness FY2020 hearing on Tuesday, April 9. The deadline to submit written testimony is Monday, April 8.

ADMINISTRATION
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos testified before both the House and Senate LHHS Appropriations Subcommittees on the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) proposed FY2020 budget.

ED continued with Negotiated Rulemaking on a number of higher education issues last week. Negotiations will conclude this week.

ED launched an investigation into eight universities involved in the recent admissions bribery scheme to determine whether those universities violated any law or rules “governing the Federal student financial aid programs” or “any other applicable laws.”

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Dem lawmaker calls for DeVos to resign, cites use of ‘racist research’ [The Hill]

Amy Klobuchar Outlines Support For Free 2-Year Community College [The Huffington Post]

If There Is a Free-Speech ‘Crisis’ on Campus, PEN America Says, Lawmakers Are Making It Worse [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

As DeVos Eases Sexual Assault Rules, Her Old High School May Provide a Test Case [The New York Times]

Education Advocates to SCOTUS: Leave Citizenship Out of Census [Education Week]

Data Show No Action on Borrower-Defense Claims [Inside Higher Ed]

Forget the shouting and demonizing: College students organize civil discussions [The Washington Post]

Op-Ed: For America’s colleges and universities, campus carry requires collaborative leadership [The Hill]

Trump Backs Off Proposed Special Olympics Cut, Hours After DeVos Defended It [Education Week]

White House Hopeful Klobuchar’s $1 Trillion Infrastructure Plan Targets Schools [Education Week]

‘Don’t you have a heart?’: Senate Democrats press DeVos on backlog of 140,000 student debt-relief claims [The Washington Post]

Rubio Plans Bill to End Loan Interest Rates [Inside Higher Ed]

Dem senator wants college athletes to be paid [The Hill]

California legislators seek reforms after college admissions scandal [EdSource]

Education Research Agency Looks to Leverage Big Data, Reduce Costs [Education Week]

DeVos Says Trump Budget Means ‘Freedom’ in Education; Democrats Call It ‘Cruel’ [Education Week]

DeVos Questioned on Short-Term Pell Grants [Inside Higher Ed]

Democratic Legislation Targets For-Profit Colleges [Inside Higher Ed]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
Speaker of the House
Press Release: Pelosi Statement on 9th Anniversary of Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions 
Press Release: After Murray Questions Secretary DeVos on Student Borrower Relief, Department of Education Confirms No Claims Have Been Approved

House Education and Labor Committee 
Press Release: Strengthening Apprenticeships and Skills-Based Education

Senate Committee on Appropriations 
Press Release: Appropriations Schedule for Week of April 1, 2019

Senate Committee on the Budget 
Press Release: Chairman Enzi: Senate Budget Resolution is First Step to Strengthen America’s Future

Press Release: The Senate Republican Budget: Cutting Medicare, Medicaid, and Education to Pay for Tax Breaks to the Top 1 Percent

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
DOL Press Release: U.S. Department of Labor Holds Strengthening America’s Workforce Event to Discuss Paths for Americans Transitioning from Justice System to Workforce

ED Press Release: Secretary DeVos Corrects the Record on Trump Administration Support for Students with Disabilities

White House Press Release: Proclamation on World Autism Awareness Day, 2019

IES Report: “Relationship Between Educational Attainment and Labor Underutilization”

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.268 — Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019
Sponsor: Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-17] (Introduced 01/08/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Appropriations, Budget
Latest Action: Senate – 04/01/2019 Motion by Senator McConnell to reconsider the vote by which cloture on H.R. 268 was not invoked (Record Vote No. 56) entered in Senate.

H.R.2001 — To amend the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to meet the needs of homeless children, youth, and families, and honor the assessments and priorities of local communities.
Sponsor: Rep. Stivers, Steve [R-OH-15] (Introduced 04/01/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Financial Services, Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 04/01/2019 Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, 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…
Press Release: Stivers, Loebsack Reintroduce the Homeless Children and Youth Act

H.R.2006 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide capacity-building assistance to institutions of higher education to examine and address inequities in college student access and success, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Shalala, Donna E. [D-FL-27] (Introduced 04/01/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 04/01/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.Res.277 — Affirming the importance of access to safe, quality education, including protection from attacks on education, for children in conflict settings.
Sponsor: Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-17] (Introduced 04/01/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Foreign Affairs
Latest Action: House – 04/01/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

S.968 — A bill to provide for institutional risk-sharing in the Federal student loan programs.
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI] (Introduced 04/01/2019) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 04/01/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.969 — A bill to improve quality and accountability for educator preparation programs.
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI] (Introduced 04/01/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 04/01/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2121)

S.976 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act to combat campus sexual assault, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY] (Introduced 04/01/2019) Cosponsors: (9)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 04/01/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Gillibrand, Grassley Lead Bipartisan Coalition Of Senators To Reintroduce Legislation To Combat Sexual Assault On College Campuses, Strengthen Accountability And Transparency For Institutions

H.R.1995 — To promote registered apprenticeships, including registered apprenticeships within in-demand industry sectors, through the support of workforce intermediaries, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1] (Introduced 03/29/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/29/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Bipartisan, Bicameral Group of Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Expand Registered Apprenticeships in High-Growth Job Sectors

H.R.1963 — To expand the research and education on and delivery of complementary and integrative medicine to veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26] (Introduced 03/28/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Action: House – 03/28/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

H.R.1971 — To direct the Secretary of Education to carry out a grant program to make grants to eligible entities to carry out full-day kindergarten programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ-7] (Introduced 03/28/2019) Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/28/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

S.937 — A bill to direct the Secretary of Commerce to require institutions of higher education and other research facilities to obtain deemed export licenses for foreign nationals conducting scientific research at such institutions and facilities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA] (Introduced 03/28/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate – Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Action: Senate – 03/28/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Press Release: U.S. Sen. Kennedy Files Legislation To End China’s Unguarded Access To America’s College Campuses

S.943 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide capacity-building assistance to institutions of higher education to examine and address inequities in college student access and success, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (Introduced 03/28/2019) Cosponsors: (5)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 03/28/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.951 — A bill to promote registered apprenticeships, including registered apprenticeships within in-demand industry sectors, through the support of workforce intermediaries, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE] (Introduced 03/28/2019) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 03/28/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Bipartisan, bicameral bill from Sens. Coons, Young, Moran, Brown & Reps. Norcross, McKinley expands registered apprenticeship programs in high-growth job sectors

S.Res.131 — A resolution designating April 2019 as “National 9-1-1 Education Month”.
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN] (Introduced 03/28/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Judiciary
Latest Action: Senate – 03/28/2019 Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

H.R.1519 — CREATE Act of 2019
Sponsor: Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-12] (Introduced 03/05/2019) Cosponsors: (7)
Committees: House – Small Business, Judiciary, Education and Labor, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture
Latest Action: House – 03/27/2019 Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit.

H.R.1896 — To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to expand the military student identifier program to cover students with a parent who serves in the reserve component of the Armed Forces.
Sponsor: Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46] (Introduced 03/27/2019) Cosponsors: (12)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/27/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.1899 — To provide for the refinancing and recalculation of certain Federal student loans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-3] (Introduced 03/27/2019) Cosponsors: (24)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/27/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Reps. Garamendi and Fitzpatrick Reintroduce the Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculating Act

H.R.1913 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay educational assistance or subsistence allowances to certain individuals during school term, quarter, or semester breaks.
Sponsor: Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray, Jr. [D-CA-39] (Introduced 03/27/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Action: House – 03/27/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

H.R.1915 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make technical improvements to the Net Price Calculator system so that prospective students may have a more accurate understanding of the true cost of college.
Sponsor: Rep. Cummings, Elijah E. [D-MD-7] (Introduced 03/27/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/27/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Cummings, Guthrie Introduce Legislation to Make College Costs More Transparent

H.R.1930 — To provide for the elimination of the Department of Education, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7] (Introduced 03/27/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/27/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.Res.260 — Supporting the goals and ideals of National Middle Level Education Month.
Sponsor: Rep. Grijalva, Raul M. [D-AZ-3] (Introduced 03/27/2019) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/27/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

S.887 — A bill to revise counseling requirements for certain borrowers of student loans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] (Introduced 03/27/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 03/27/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Grassley, Smith, Ernst Introduce Bipartisan Bills to Help Students Understand Cost of College, Make Cost Comparisons Easier

S.888 — A bill to require a standard financial aid offer form, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] (Introduced 03/27/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 03/27/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.889 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make technical improvements to the Net Price Calculator system so that prospective students may have a more accurate understanding of the true cost of college.
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] (Introduced 03/27/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 03/27/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

H.R.1878 — To amend part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to provide full Federal funding of such part.
Sponsor: Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2] (Introduced 03/26/2019) Cosponsors: (12)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/26/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Rep. Huffman Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Fully Fund Special Education

H.R.1886 — To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to establish a grant program to appoint nutrition coordinators to oversee local school nutrition policies in local educational agencies, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13] (Introduced 03/26/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/26/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

S.866 — A bill to amend part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to provide full Federal funding of such part.
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] (Introduced 03/26/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 03/26/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Van Hollen, Roberts Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Fully Fund Special Education

S.867 — A bill to protect students of institutions of higher education and the taxpayer investment in institutions of higher education by improving oversight and accountability of institutions of higher education, particularly for-profit colleges, improving protections for students and borrowers, and ensuring the integrity of postsecondary education programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH] (Introduced 03/26/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 03/26/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Senators Hassan and Durbin Introduce Comprehensive Legislation to Protect Students and Taxpayers from Predatory Higher Education Practices

S.885 — A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to expand access to school-wide arts and music programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT] (Introduced 03/26/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 03/26/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

H.R.1861 — To direct the Secretary of Education to conduct a study to determine the relationship between school start times and adolescent health, well-being, and performance.
Sponsor: Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19] (Introduced 03/25/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 03/25/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.885 — Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2019
Sponsor: Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9] (Introduced 01/30/2019) Cosponsors: (13)
Committees: House – Judiciary
Latest Action: House – 03/25/2019 Referred to the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law.

H.Res.254 — Expressing support for the designation of the week of March 25 through March 29, 2019, as “Public Schools Week”.
Sponsor: Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2] (Introduced 03/25/2019) Cosponsors: (73)
Committees: House – Oversight and Reform
Latest Action: House – 03/25/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
VA Comment Request: Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC). Comments due on or before June 3, 2019. 

ED Comment Request: Annual Performance Report for the Gaining Early Awareness for Undergraduate Programs. Comments due on or before May 31, 2019. 

ED Comment Request: Consolidated Annual Report (CAR) for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006. Comments due on or before April 29, 2019. 

ED Comment Request: Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Performance Report. Comments due on or before May 28, 2019. 

ED Grant Notice Correction: College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP). This notice corrects the national target pertaining to a performance measure that applies to this program.