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

June 16, 2020

COVID-19 Updates 
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) sent an interim final rule regarding the equitable services provision included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L.116-136) to the Office of Management and Budget for review.

ED posted an “unofficial copy” of its interim final rule regarding the eligibility of students at institutions of higher education for emergency grant aid under the CARES Act.

ED announced the waiver authority for the period of availability for FY2018 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B funds, as authorized under the CARES Act.

ED posted the certification and agreements each State submitted to receive Governor’s Emergency Education Relief funding under the CARES Act.

HOUSE and SENATE
The Senate Appropriations Committee is planning to hold markups of its Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 appropriations bills starting the week of June 22.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Federal judge rules against DeVos in Washington State over emergency grants [Inside Higher Ed]

Colleges are ditching required admission tests over covid-19. Will they ever go back? [The Washington Post]

Report: Students Facing Insecurity, Anxiety Due to Pandemic [Inside Higher Ed]
The Hope Center Report: #RealCollege During the Pandemic

How is the pandemic impacting college endowments? [Education Dive]

UC regents to consider backing affirmative action [The Los Angeles Times]

DeVos issues rule barring colleges from granting coronavirus relief funds to DACA recipients [The Hill]

State-Level Data on FAFSA Renewal Declines [Inside Higher Ed]

Community college presidents aim to address ‘tremendous racial inequities’ on campuses [The Los Angeles Times]

Analysis | White students exposed to more minority peers are less likely to register as Republicans [The Washington Post]

Restart In-Person Classes or Lose Federal Aid, Two Lawmakers Say in Messaging Bill [Education Week]

Alexander: ‘Schools should plan for COVID to last at least a year’ [Education Dive]

Latinos, African Americans Most Likely to Change Education Plans [Inside Higher Ed]

Colleges adapt gap year programs as coronavirus limits options [Education Dive]

Community colleges burdened by new Title IX regulations [Inside Higher Ed]

Faculty Want a Say in Whether They Teach Face to Face. The Conversation Is Not Going Well. [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Historically black colleges fight for survival, reopening amid coronavirus pandemic [USA Today]

6 Insights That Could Make Economic Recovery More Equitable This Time [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Will anything change for Blacks in higher education? [The Hechinger Report]

With Strategy, Community Colleges Could Win This Fall [Inside Higher Ed]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
Speaker of the House
Press Release: Transcript of Pelosi Interview on MSNBC Live with Craig Melvin

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions  
Press Release: Senator Murray: New DeVos Rule Restricting Emergency Financial Aid is Cruel

Press Release: Alexander: 56 Million Students Going Back to School This Fall Will be Surest Step Toward Normalcy

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Issues Rule to Protect American Taxpayers from Waste, Fraud, and Abuse, Ensure COVID-19 Relief Funds Get to Eligible Students.

DOL Press Release: U.S. Department Of Labor And American Staffing Association Form Alliance To Increase Workforce Participation For Individuals With Disabilities

IES Online Training: WWC Online Certification in version 4.1 of the WWC Group Design Standards

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
S.939 — CONFUCIUS Act
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA] (Introduced 03/28/2019) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 06/10/2020 Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Press Release: Senate passes Kennedy’s CONFUCIUS Act to protect free speech at U.S. colleges

S.3923 — A bill to provide emergency relief to youth, children, and families experiencing homelessness, in light of the health and economic consequences of COVID-19.
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK] (Introduced 06/09/2020) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 06/09/2020 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

H.R.7138 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require program participation agreements between institutions of higher education and Hanban if a Confucius Institute operates on the campus of the institution.
Sponsor: Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21] (Introduced 06/08/2020) Cosponsors: (9)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 06/08/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

S.3916 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the exclusion for educational assistance programs.
Sponsor: Sen. Loeffler, Kelly [R-GA] (Introduced 06/08/2020) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate – Finance
Latest Action:  Senate – 06/08/2020 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Notice: Waivers Granted Under Section 3511 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

ED Correction Notice: Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund Application. The Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours of 26 is wrong, and the correct number is 130.

ED Comment Request: Accrediting Agencies Currently Undergoing Review for Purposes of Recognition by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Comments are due on or before June. 23, 2020. 

VA Meeting Notice: Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education (VACOE). The meeting will take place via conference call June 23-26, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., EST.