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

February 18, 2020

HOUSE and SENATE
The House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies and Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittees each set Friday, March 13 as the deadline for Members to submit Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 appropriations requests.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a new report on the enrollment rates and costs of the Federal government’s income-driven repayment (IDR) plans.

ADMINISTRATION
The Administration released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 budget request, including its request for the U.S. Department of Education (ED).

ED recently published an updated information collection notice seeking public input on potential new foreign gift reporting requirements as required under section 117 of the Higher Education Act (HEA).

ED opened an investigation into Harvard and Yale over their alleged failure to properly report foreign gifts.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Bloomberg proposes limited debt forgiveness, tuition-free college [Inside Higher Ed]

Title IX debate complicates push for Higher Education Act reauthorization [Inside Higher Ed]

The wealthiest universities are paying big endowment tax bills, but how much are others who are on the hook paying? [Inside Higher Ed]

When applying to college, what should matter? [The Washington Post]

UC audit prompted by scandal finds flaws with admissions process for athletes and artists [The Los Angeles Times]

How the skills gap is changing the degree path [Education Dive]

Public universities in several states are required to buy from prison industries [Inside Higher Ed]

New Jersey offers $2M grants for apprentices to earn college credit [Education Dive]

Graduate school debt is driving up the cost of helping borrowers manage their student loans [The Washington Post]

Higher education lobbying has declined, but will that change? [Inside Higher Ed]

Harvard, Yale Targets Of Education Department Probe Into Foreign Donations [National Public Radio]

Why people with student debt are refusing to repay it [CNBC]

See the 29 Education Programs Trump Wants to Condense Into a Block Grant [Education Week]

Why Internships Can Ease the Path From College to Career — And Why They Often Don’t [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

College costs, teacher shortage still top concerns in poll of California voters [EdSource]

Op-Ed: At-risk youth aren’t the problem  but they can be part of the counseling solution [The Hechinger Report]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
House Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: Lowey Statement on President Trump’s FY2021 Budget Request

House Committee on the Budget
Budget Digest: The President’s Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Request

Senate Committee on the Budget 
Press Release: CBO Shows Explosive Growth in Cost of Income Driven Repayment for Student Loans

House Education and Labor Committee 
Press Release: Chairman Scott Statement on President Trump’s FY 2021 Budget Proposal

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions  
Press Release: Alexander Statement on President Trump’s Budget Proposal

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Launches Investigation into Foreign Gifts Reporting at Ivy League Universities

White House Press Release: President Trump’s FY 2021 Budget Commits to Double Investments in Key Industries of the Future

DOL Press Release: President Trump’s Budget Makes Key Investments In America’s Workforce

IES Report: “Start Time for U.S. Public High Schools”

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.5886 — To direct the Secretary of Education to develop resources to reduce e-cigarette use by students on campuses of institutions of higher education, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16] (Introduced 02/13/2020) Cosponsors: (10)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 02/13/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Engel Authors Legislation To Reduce Vaping On College Campuses

H.R.5899 — To amend title 11 of the United States Code to make debts for student loans dischargeable.
Sponsor: Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6] (Introduced 02/13/2020) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Judiciary
Latest Action:  House – 02/13/2020 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

H.R.5907 — To amend title 31, United States Code, to prohibit administrative offsets of social security benefit payments and social security disability insurance benefit payments with respect to claims arising from Federal student loans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Sires, Albio [D-NJ-8] (Introduced 02/13/2020) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Judiciary
Latest Action:  House – 02/13/2020 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

S.3313 — A bill to amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to limit the exemption from the registration requirements of such Act for persons engaging in activities in furtherance of bona fide religious, scholastic, academic, or scientific pursuits or the fine arts to activities which do not promote the political agenda of a foreign government, to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to clarify the disclosures of foreign gifts by institutions, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL] (Introduced 02/13/2020) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Foreign Relations
Latest Action:  Senate – 02/13/2020 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Press Release: Rubio, Cotton, Portman Reintroduce Foreign Influence Transparency Act

S.153 — Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL] (Introduced 01/16/2019) Cosponsors: (12)
Committees: Senate – Commerce, Science, and Transportation | House – Science, Space, and Technology; Veterans’ Affairs Committee Reports: S. Rept. 116-164
Latest Action:  02/11/2020 Signed by President.
Press Release: Senators Rubio, Klobuchar, and Representative Dunn Applaud Signing of their Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act into Law

S.3273 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a community college and career training grant program.
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA] (Introduced 02/11/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 02/11/2020 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S992-993)
Press Release: Kaine And Young Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Launch Community College And Career Training Grant Program

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Comment Request: Formula Grant EASIE Electronic Application System for Indian Education. Comments due on or before March 19, 2020. 

ED Grant Notice: District of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP). Applications due March 30, 2020.

Executive Office of the President Presidential Document: Sequestration Order for Fiscal Year 2021 Pursuant to Section 251A of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as Amended

ED Comment Request: Vocational Rehabilitation Financial Report (RSA-2). Comments due on or before April 13, 2020.