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

April 14, 2020

COVID-19 Updates
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced the advanced distribution of the portion of formula funding reserved for emergency grants to students at institutions of higher education (IHEs) under the Education Stabilization Fund. The funding under the Education Stabilization Fund was appropriated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L.116-136).

ED posted updated guidance for IHEs regarding interruptions of study related to COVID-19.

ED has released a second set of questions and answers (Q&As) regarding Perkins and the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This second set of Q&As, addressing local plan requirements, consultation, and performance data submissions, provide further flexibilities and support for your work.  This document can also be found on the Perkins Collaborative Resource Network (PCRN) at https://cte.ed.gov/grants/covid-19-information.

HOUSE and SENATE
The House and Senate are in recess until the week of April 20.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) both attempted to pass COVID-19 relief packages by unanimous consent but were blocked. Senator McConnell’s package included $250 billion in additional relief for small businesses. Senator Van Hollen’s proposal included $250 billion for hospitals and local governments in addition to $250 billion for small business relief.

ADMINISTRATION
The President nominated Andrew A. De Mello to be the ED Inspector General. De Mello most recently served as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division.

ED’s Office for Civil Rights released its annual report for fiscal years 2017-18.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Public colleges face looming financial blow from state budget cuts [Inside Higher Ed]

Yield rates and admit rates are in flux [Inside Higher Ed]

Biden’s New Student Loan Cancellation Plan [Inside Higher Ed]

DeVos gives colleges leeway in providing emergency aid to needy students amid the pandemic [The Washington Post]

What’s Next: Will coronavirus fuel big changes to college admissions? [Education Dive]

Low-income college students are counting on federal aid, but who will get it — and when? [The Washington Post]

Community college faculty members adjust to remote learning [Inside Higher Ed]

As Higher Education Leaders Wait for Slow-to-Arrive Federal Relief, Students Are Taking Charge of Providing Key Services to Their Classmates & Communities [The74million.org]

Survey shows potential impact of coronavirus on enrollment [Inside Higher Ed]

Dorm Evictions for the Public Good [Inside Higher Ed]

Low-income students face obstacles in managing their online education [The Hechinger Report]

College presidents anticipate cost cutting, layoffs from coronavirus, survey finds [Education Dive ]

Study finds that public universities lose minority students when they ban affirmative action [Inside Higher Ed]

Ed Dept issues guidance on Clery Act reporting amid coronavirus [Education Dive]

Where is the stimulus money, colleges ask? [Inside Higher Ed]

Colleges are ditching letter grades this spring, but not all students are on board with ‘ungrading’ [The Washington Post]

Students Without Laptops, Instructors Without Internet: How Struggling Colleges Move Online During Covid-19 [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

How the great recession affected higher education [The Hechinger Report]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
Speaker of the House
Press Release: Pelosi and Schumer Joint Statement on Urgent Priorities for Interim Emergency Coronavirus Relief

House Education and Labor Committee 
Press Release: Chairman Scott Statement on Distribution of First $6 Billion in Emergency CARES Act Funding to Colleges and Students

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions  
Press Release: Key Health Committee Senators Urge Making COVID-19 Antibodies Test Free for Everyone

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
White House Press Release: April 10th Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing

ED Press Release: Secretary DeVos Rapidly Delivers More Than $6 Billion in Emergency Cash Grants for College Students Impacted by Coronavirus Outbreak

DOL Press Release: U.S. Department Of Labor Announces Availability Of $42.5 Million In Youth Apprenticeship Grants

IES Project: COVID-19: Evidence-Based Resources

IES WWC Evidence Snapshot: “Word Generation: English Language Learners”

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.6456 — To establish a grant program that provides grants to expand broadband service.
Sponsor: Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1] (Introduced 04/07/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
Latest Action:  House – 04/07/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Press Release: Amid COVID-19 Outbreak, Wittman & Johnson Introduce Bill to Increase Access to Broadband

H.R.6431 — To require the creation of a national commission to prepare for future national emergencies, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1] (Introduced 04/03/2020) Cosponsors: (6)
Committees: House – Transportation and Infrastructure; Ways and Means; Oversight and Reform; Homeland Security; Energy and Commerce; Armed Services
Latest Action:  House – 04/06/2020 Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

H.R.6437 — To ensure that all communities have access to urgently needed COVID-19 testing, treatment, public health information, and relief benefits regardless of immigration status or limited English proficiency, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-27] (Introduced 04/03/2020) Cosponsors: (27)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary; Transportation and Infrastructure; Ways and Means
Latest Action:  House – 04/06/2020 Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Comment Request: Proposed Priorities, Requirements, Definition, and Selection Criteria-Education Innovation and Research- Teacher-Directed Professional Learning Experiences. Comments due on or before May 13, 2020. 

Executive Office of the President Proclamation: Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A., 2020

DOL Grant Notice: Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Grant Program. Applications due May 6, 2020.