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

October 1, 2019

HOUSE and SENATE
The Senate passed a continuing resolution (H.R.4378) that would fund the Federal government through November 21 by a 81 to 16 vote. The President signed it on Friday, September 27.

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Lamar Alexander (R-TN) introduced the Student Aid Improvement Act.

The Senate confirmed Eugene Scalia to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Labor by a 53 to 44 vote.

ADMINISTRATION
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) released its annual, three-year cohort default rates for the FY2016 borrower cohort.

ED announced the grantees for the FY2019 Education Innovation and Research grant competition.

ED, along with the U.S. Departments of Justice, Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, released a guide for school districts titled “The Role of Districts in Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans.”

ED issued guidance on the design and implementation of State and local report cards, as required under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

ED’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) is planning to increase its staff size and restructure as it begins its transition to the Next Generation Federal student loan servicing system (NextGen).

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Where Presidential Candidates Stand on Education: Your New Guide to 2020 [Education Week]

Alexander Backs College Transparency Act [Inside Higher Ed]

Two-Thirds of College Students Take On Debt, but Amount Is Rising More Slowly [The New York Times]

California’s Athlete-Compensation Law Is Now Official, Posing a Serious Challenge to the NCAA [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Students trust libraries for more than borrowing books, report says [Inside Higher Ed]
ITHAKA S+R Report: “Student Needs Are Academic Needs: Community College Libraries and Academic Support for Student Success”

Two emerging players on ISAs, with deliberate and different approaches [Inside Higher Ed]

Student Debt Reinforces the Racial Wealth Gap, Study Finds [Inside Higher Ed]
Brandeis University Report: “Stalling Dreams: How Student Debt is Disrupting Life Chances and Widening the Racial Wealth Gap”

6 Takeaways for Colleges That Want to Help Low-Income Students Get Career-Ready [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

A Community College Goes National [Inside Higher Ed]

Financially troubled two-year college district needs a turnaround, Calif. agency says [Inside Higher Ed]

Senate panel advances Trump Labor pick Scalia [The Hill]

Senators introduce school safety bill in wake of mass shootings [The Hill]

Appeals court: U of Michigan bias team could chill free speech [Inside Higher Ed]

How College Changes the Parent-Child Relationship [The Atlantic]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions 
Press Release: Alexander Introduces Long-Term Solution to Fund Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Other Minority Serving Institutions

Press Release: Murray Demands Senate Republicans Stop Playing Politics with HBCUs, Tribal Colleges and Minority-Serving Institutions, Continues Push for a Comprehensive Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act

Press Release: Alexander: Senate Labor Committee Approves Eugene Scalia to Serve as Secretary of Labor

House Education and Labor Committee 
Press Release: All Committee Democrats to Secretary Perdue: Proposed Rule Strips Free School Meals from More Than 500,000 Low-Income Children

Senate Committee on Appropriations 
Press Release: Shelby Applauds Consideration of Five FY2020 Bills, Encourages Continued Bipartisan Work

House Committee on Appropriations 
Press Release: Lowey Statement After President Signs Continuing Resolution

House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
Press Release: House Passes STEM Opportunities Act

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Releases Interactive Data Story on Career and Technical Education in High School

ED Press Release: Secretary DeVos Announces New Grant Awards that Encourage Grantees to Rethink Education

ED Press Release: National Federal Student Loan Cohort Default Rate Continues to Decline

IES Report: “Evaluation of Support for Using Student Data to Inform Teachers’ Instruction”

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.4378 — Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Health Extenders Act of 2019
Sponsor: Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-17] (Introduced 09/18/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Appropriations, Budget Latest Action:  09/27/2019 Signed by President.

H.R.4469 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit 529 plans to be used for certain non-degree technical training certificate programs and apprenticeship programs.
Sponsor: Rep. Hagedorn, Jim [R-MN-1] (Introduced 09/24/2019) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Ways and Means
Latest Action:  09/27/2019 Sponsor introductory remarks on measure
Press Release: Hagedorn Touts Bipartisan American Workforce Empowerment Act on House Floor

H.R.4544 — To amend the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit predispute arbitration agreements that force arbitration of disputes arising from private education loans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4] (Introduced 09/27/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Financial Services
Latest Action:  House – 09/27/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

H.R.4545 — To provide for the discharge of a private education loan in the case of death or total and permanent disability of a student obligor, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4] (Introduced 09/27/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Financial Services, Ways and Means
Latest Action:  House – 09/27/2019 Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.4555 — To ensure that significantly more students graduate college with the international knowledge and experience essential for success in today’s global economy through the establishment of the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program in the Department of Education.
Sponsor: Rep. Bustos, Cheri [D-IL-17] (Introduced 09/27/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 09/27/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.4567 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to translate the FAFSA into foreign languages, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6] (Introduced 09/27/2019) Cosponsors: (7)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 09/27/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.4573 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize additional grant activities for Hispanic-serving institutions.
Sponsor: Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-36] (Introduced 09/27/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 09/27/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.4577 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to promote the matriculation, and increase in the graduation rates, of individuals with disabilities within higher education.
Sponsor: Rep. Wild, Susan [D-PA-7] (Introduced 09/27/2019) Cosponsors: (8)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 09/27/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.4578 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make improvements to the TEACH Grant program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24] (Introduced 09/27/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 09/27/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.4579 — To require the Secretary of Education to initiate a negotiated rule-making process with respect to when an institution of higher education fails to meet accreditation standards, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24] (Introduced 09/27/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 09/27/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

S.737 — Building Blocks of STEM Act
Sponsor: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV] (Introduced 03/11/2019) Cosponsors: (8)
Committees: Senate – Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Committee Reports: S. Rept. 116-78
Latest Action:  Senate – 09/27/2019 Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Press Release: Rosen Celebrates Senate Passage of Her Bipartisan Building Blocks of STEM Act

H.R.2528 — STEM Opportunities Act of 2019
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Eddie Bernice [D-TX-30] (Introduced 05/07/2019) Cosponsors: (29)
Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology Committee Reports: H. Rept. 116-184
Latest Action:  House – 09/26/2019 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

H.R.4502 — To eliminate the time limitations on federally subsidized student loans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6] (Introduced 09/26/2019) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 09/26/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Representatives Casten, Haaland, Garcia, Krishnamoorthi Introduce Bill to Help College Students Finish Their Degrees

H.R.4517 — To direct the Secretary of Education to carry out an apprenticeship loan forgiveness program.
Sponsor: Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1] (Introduced 09/26/2019) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 09/26/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Cicilline Introduces Bill to Incentivize Apprenticeships for Rhode Island Workers

H.R.4528 — To increase the participation of historically underrepresented demographic groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and industry.
Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12] (Introduced 09/26/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology
Latest Action:  House – 09/26/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

H.J.Res.76 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to “Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability”.
Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3] (Introduced 09/26/2019) Cosponsors: (58)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 09/26/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Rep. Susie Lee, Sen. Dick Durbin Lead Congressional Effort to Overturn Damaging DeVos Borrower Defense Rule

S.2554 — A bill to require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct research on mass violence.
Sponsor: Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA] (Introduced 09/26/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 09/26/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Isakson To Introduce Legislation To Research, Prevent Deadly Acts Of Mass Violence

S.2557 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve the financial aid process for students, to provide continued support for minority-serving institutions, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Alexander, Lamar [R-TN] (Introduced 09/26/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 09/26/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Alexander Introduces Long-Term Solution to Fund Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Other Minority Serving Institutions

S.2559 — A bill to establish certain requirements for institutions that participate in the Federal Direct loan program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL] (Introduced 09/26/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 09/26/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.2578 — A bill to increase the participation of historically underrepresented demographic groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and industry.
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI] (Introduced 09/26/2019) Cosponsors: (6)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 09/26/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.2579 — A bill 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: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI] (Introduced 09/26/2019) Cosponsors: (9)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 09/26/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.2584 — An original bill making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS] (Introduced 09/26/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate – Appropriations
Latest Action:  Senate – 09/26/2019 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 231.
Press Release: Senate Appropriations Committee Passes Chairman Moran’s FY2020 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill

S.J.Res.56 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to “Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability”.
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] (Introduced 09/26/2019) Cosponsors: (36)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 09/26/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Durbin, Lee Lead Congressional Effort To Overturn Devos Borrower Defense Rule

S.Res.355 — A resolution designating the week of September 22 through 28, 2019, as “National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week”.
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA] (Introduced 09/26/2019) Cosponsors: (7)
Latest Action:  Senate – 09/26/2019 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

H.R.4497 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make improvements to the Federal Student Aid Office, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Shalala, Donna E. [D-FL-27] (Introduced 09/25/2019) Cosponsors: (5)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 09/25/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Reps. Shalala, Pressley, and Tlaib introduce the Protecting Student Aid Act of 2019

H.R.4469 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit 529 plans to be used for certain non-degree technical training certificate programs and apprenticeship programs.
Sponsor: Rep. Hagedorn, Jim [R-MN-1] (Introduced 09/24/2019) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Ways and Means
Latest Action:  House – 09/24/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Press Release: Hagedorn-Van Drew Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Vocational and Skilled Workforce

H.R.4475 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to determine the expenditures of an institution of higher education on instruction, student services, marketing, recruitment, advertising, and lobbying, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Malinowski, Tom [D-NJ-7] (Introduced 09/24/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 09/24/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Representative Malinowski Introduces The Higher Education Student Protection Act

H.R.4478 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to remove barriers for students seeking Federal financial aid by reducing the complexity and length of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and increasing support for working students and vulnerable populations.
Sponsor: Rep. Sablan, Gregorio Kilili Camacho [D-MP-At Large] (Introduced 09/24/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 09/24/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.Res.578 — Expressing support for the designation of September 2019 as “National Workforce Development Month” and recognizing the necessity of investing in workforce development to support workers and to help employers succeed in a global economy.
Sponsor: Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1] (Introduced 09/24/2019) Cosponsors: (17)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 09/24/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Bonamici, Guthrie Recognize National Workforce Development Month with Bipartisan Resolution

H.Res.581 — Expressing support for the recognition of September 22, 2019, to September 28, 2019, as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions week.
Sponsor: Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-27] (Introduced 09/24/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 09/24/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.2486 — FUTURE Act
Sponsor: Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12] (Introduced 05/02/2019) Cosponsors: (28)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  Senate – 09/23/2019 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 212.
News: Rep. Adams on the Passage of the FUTURE Act

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Comment Request: Application for Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Program (1894-0001). Comments due October 30, 2019.

ED Comment Request: Application for Approval to Participate in Federal Student Aid Programs. Comments due October 28, 2019. 

ED Comment Request: Accrediting Agencies Reporting Activities for Institutions and Programs—Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institution and Programs (DAPIP). Comments due November 25, 2019. 

ED Comment Request: Borrower Defenses Regulations. Comments due November 25, 2019.