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

May 14, 2019

HOUSE and SENATE
The House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) Appropriations Committee markedup and passed its fiscal year (FY) 2020 appropriations bill by a vote of 30 to 23. A summary of the bill can be found here and the report language can be found here.

The House LHHS Appropriations Committee approved the funding allocations for each of the 12 appropriations bills by a vote of 30 to 22.

The House Education and Labor Committee passed the Stronger Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (H.R. 2480), which would reauthorize the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), by a voice vote.

Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), current Chair of the Senate Budget Committee, and who previously served as Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee announced that he will retire when his current term is finished in 2020.Former Chairman of HELP

The deadline to submit written testimony to the Senate LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee on the FY2020 budget is June 3.

ADMINISTRATION
The proposed regulations that the negotiated rulemaking committee reached consensus regarding accreditation and State authorization have been sent to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) will appeal a recent court ruling that determined ED’s delay of the Obama-era significant disproportionality rule to be improper.

A Federal appeals court ruled that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB’s) leadership structure, which has a single director that can only be fired for cause, is constitutional.

Interest rates for new Federal student loans made after July 1, 2019 will be lower following the latest U.S. Department of Treasury’s sale of 10-year notes.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Julián Castro unveils education reform plan, guaranteeing universal free college, pre-K [The Hill]

Kamala Harris says America needs to reform how it funds its public schools, but what would that look like? [The Atlantic]

Warren proposes $50 billion fund to invest in historically black colleges [The Hill]

The Shrinking World of Need-Blind Admissions [Inside Higher Ed]

Students With Debt Value High-Paying Jobs Over Satisfaction [Inside Higher Ed]
NBER Report: “Assets and Job Choice: Student Debt, Wages and Amenities”

House Democrats’ spending proposals include big boosts for student aid [Inside Higher Ed]

Lawmakers say improving transparency in higher education offers chance for bipartisanship [The Hill]

Calif. lawmakers consider legislation aimed at for-profits and online revenue sharing [Inside Higher Ed]

As Free College Tuition Becomes a Popular Rallying Cry, ‘Tennessee Promise’ Hailed as Game Changer — but Equity Concerns Remain [The74million.org]

Washington State Moves Toward Free and Reduced College Tuition, With Businesses Footing the Bill [The New York Times]

Community colleges go international for enrollment [Inside Higher Ed]

California colleges help students dress for success — for free [EdSource]

It’s Time Colleges Stopped Feeling Shame About Mergers [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Colleges need to have skin in the game to tackle student loan debt [The Hill]

Fraud Costs Education At Least $70 Million Globally, Study Says [Education Week]

KIPP Weighs in on Higher Education Act Rewrite, Calls on Congress to Make College More Accessible to Low-Income Kids [The74million.org]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
House Committee on Appropriations 
Press Release: Appropriations Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2020 Labor-HHS-Education Funding Bill

House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
Press Release: Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas Introduce STEM Opportunities Act

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
White House Press Release: First Lady Melania Trump Celebrates Anniversary of “Be Best”

ED Press Release: 161 Students from Across the Country Named 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars

ED Blog: The Most Meaningful Way to Celebrate Your Teacher

WWC Practice Guide: Using Technology to Support Postsecondary Student Learning

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.5 — Equality Act
Sponsor: Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1] (Introduced 03/13/2019) Cosponsors: (240)
Committees: House – Judiciary, Education and Labor, Financial Services, Oversight and Reform, House Administration Committee Reports: H. Rept. 116-56
Latest Action:  House – 05/10/2019 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 34.

H.R.2672 — To amend section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide increased accountability of nonprofit athletic associations and to establish a commission to identify and examine issues of national concern related to the conduct of intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Katko, John [R-NY-24] (Introduced 05/10/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 05/10/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.2625 — To amend section 28 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to include eating disorders prevention within the nutrition education and obesity prevention grant program and the local wellness program; and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12] (Introduced 05/09/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Agriculture, Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 05/09/2019 Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, 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: Rep. Adams Reintroduces the LIVE Well Act

H.R.2632 — To reauthorize the child care access means parents in school program.
Sponsor: Rep. Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA-5] (Introduced 05/09/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 05/09/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Clark, Schrier, Young introduce legislation to Fund Child Care for Student Parents

H.R.2636 — To promote the use of smart technologies and systems in communities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1] (Introduced 05/09/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce, Science, Space, and Technology, Education and Labor, Foreign Affairs
Latest Action:  House – 05/09/2019 Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, Education and Labor, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such…

H.R.2639 — To establish the Strength in Diversity Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Fudge, Marcia L. [D-OH-11] (Introduced 05/09/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 05/09/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge and Sen. Chris Murphy Introduce Legislation to Increase Diversity in Schools

H.R.2653 — To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to address and take action to prevent bullying and harassment of students.
Sponsor: Rep. Sanchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38] (Introduced 05/09/2019) Cosponsors: (5)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 05/09/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.Res.363 — Recognizing the roles and contributions of America’s teachers to building and enhancing the Nation’s civic, cultural, and economic well-being.
Sponsor: Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6] (Introduced 05/09/2019) Cosponsors: (11)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 05/09/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Reps. Graves, Loebsack Introduce Resolution Honoring America’s Teachers

S.1387 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 in order to improve the service obligation verification process for TEACH Grant recipients, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN] (Introduced 05/09/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 05/09/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1401 — A bill to establish eligibility requirements for education support professionals under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] (Introduced 05/09/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 05/09/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Ahead of Mother’s Day, Duckworth Introduces Family-Friendly Legislation to Help Working Parents Get Ahead

S.1403 — A bill to amend the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program under the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] (Introduced 05/09/2019) Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 05/09/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1418 — A bill to establish the Strength in Diversity Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT] (Introduced 05/09/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 05/09/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Murphy And Fudge Introduce Legislation To Increase Diversity In Schools

H.R.2595 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase the income limit of the simplified needs test.
Sponsor: Rep. Kinzinger, Adam [R-IL-16] (Introduced 05/08/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 05/08/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.2598 — To amend title 10, United States Code, to allow members of the Armed Forces to use Department of Defense tuition assistance to pay for education or training at lower or lateral degree levels.
Sponsor: Rep. Marchant, Kenny [R-TX-24] (Introduced 05/08/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Armed Services
Latest Action:  House – 05/08/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Press Release: Marchant & Cueller Introduce Military Education Bill

H.R.2599 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to require State educational agencies and tribal educational agencies receiving funds under section 520A of such Act to establish and implement a school-based student suicide awareness and prevention training policy and school threat assessment team policy, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-52] (Introduced 05/08/2019) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
Latest Action:  House – 05/08/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Press Release: Reps. Peters, Bilirakis Introduce Suicide Prevention and School Threat Assessment Bill

S.1364 — A bill to establish an Early Federal Pell Grant Commitment Program.
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI] (Introduced 05/08/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 05/08/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Senator Stabenow Introduces Bipartisan Early Pell Promise Act

H.R.2528 — To direct the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to carry out programs and activities to ensure that Federal science agencies and institutions of higher education receiving Federal research and development funding are fully engaging their entire talent pool, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Eddie Bernice [D-TX-30] (Introduced 05/07/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology
Latest Action:  House – 05/07/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

H.R.2562 — To reauthorize title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Sponsor: Rep. Price, David E. [D-NC-4] (Introduced 05/07/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 05/07/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Representatives David Price, Susan Davis, and Andy Levin Introduce Bill to Increase Foreign Language Skills, Boost American International Competitiveness

H.R.2563 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to issue guidance and recommendations for institutions of higher education on removing criminal and juvenile justice questions from their application for admissions process.
Sponsor: Rep. Richmond, Cedric L. [D-LA-2] (Introduced 05/07/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 05/07/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Rep. Richmond Introduces Education Bill for Citizens with Criminal Records

S.1337 — A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to establish an Office of Correctional Education, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (Introduced 05/07/2019) Cosponsors: (8)
Committees: Senate – Judiciary
Latest Action:  Senate – 05/07/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Press Release: Schatz Introduces Legislation To Promote Educational Opportunities For Americans With Criminal Records

S.1338 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to issue guidance and recommendations for institutions of higher education on removing criminal and juvenile justice questions from their application for admissions process.
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (Introduced 05/07/2019) Cosponsors: (16)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 05/07/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1346 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary to provide for the use of data from the second preceding tax year to carry out the simplification of applications for the estimation and determination of financial aid eligibility, to increase the income threshold to qualify for a student aid index equal to or less than zero, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] (Introduced 05/07/2019) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 05/07/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1354 — A bill to require certain protections for student loan borrowers, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] (Introduced 05/07/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 05/07/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Durbin, Warren, Reed Reintroduce Bill Creating Student Loan Borrower Bill Of Rights

S.1355 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an exclusion from gross income for AmeriCorps educational awards.
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO] (Introduced 05/07/2019) Cosponsors: (9)
Committees: Senate – Finance
Latest Action:  Senate – 05/07/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Press Release: Bennet, Isakson Reintroduce Legislation to Provide Tax Relief for AmeriCorps Members

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Comment Request: Direct Loan, FFEL, Perkins and TEACH Grant Total and Permanent Disability Discharge Application and Related Forms. Comments due July 9, 2019. 

ED Comment Request: FFEL/Direct Loan/Perkins Military Service Deferment/Post-Active Duty Student Deferment Request. Comments due July 9, 2019. 

VA Notice of Charter Renewal: Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach 

NSF Meeting Notice: STEM Education Advisory Panel (#2624). The meeting will take place on May 31, 2019; 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.at the National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314.