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

June 30, 2020

COVID-19 Updates 
The Government Accountability Office’s ongoing audit required by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L.116-136) reported on the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) administration of funds under this law.

ED published an interim final rule regarding implementation of the equitable services provision under the Education Stabilization Fund’s portions of the CARES Act.

HOUSE and SENATE
The House is expected to consider Democrat’s infrastructure package, the Moving Forward Act, (H.R.2) this week. This legislation includes the school infrastructure provisions of the Reopen and Rebuild America’s Schools Act.

House Appropriations Chair Nita Lowey (D-NY) announced that all 12 Appropriations Subcommittee markups will take place during the week of July 6, with full Committee markups beginning on July 9.

The House failed to pass a veto override of H.J.Res.76, a Congressional Review Act resolution which would have repealed the Administration’s final Borrower Defense to Repayment rule.

ADMINISTRATION
ED released a new online portal for institutions of higher education (IHEs) to report foreign gifts.

ED’s office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) announced it signed contracts with five companies to assist in servicing of Federal student loans.

President Trump signed an executive order on strengthening the child welfare system.

The National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI), ED’s advisory committee on higher education accreditation issues, announced it would not decide whether the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) is meeting established Federal standards until February 2021.

ED approved the career and technical education (CTE) State plans for Arkansas, Mississippi, Nevada and Tennessee. To date, 35 CTE State plans have been approved.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
House falls short of overriding Trump’s veto of measure to overturn student loan forgiveness rule [The Washington Post]

Trump puts skills over degrees in federal hiring; college groups confident in value of degrees [Inside Higher Ed]

How Will Covid-19 Affect the Next Round of College Applicants? Here’s an Early Look [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

The Wild Card For An In-Person Fall: College Student Behavior [National Public Radio]

How should financial aid offices communicate with students during the pandemic? [Education Dive]

Jamaal Bowman Poised to Swell Ranks of Former Educators in Congress [Education Week]

Senate Dems Say Student Debt May Be Withheld From Tax Refunds [Inside Higher Ed]

Sen. Lamar Alexander Estimates K-12, Higher Ed. Need $50 Billion to $75 Billion to Reopen Safely [Education Week]

Update on fall semester plans amid virus [Inside Higher Ed]

At One Flagship, Coronavirus Cases Surge Even in the Midst of Summer [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Colleges’ pre-pandemic problems haven’t gone away [Education Dive]

Report Lays Out How Community Colleges Could Save Economy [Inside Higher Ed]
Opportunity America Report: “The Indispensable Institution: Reimagining Community College”

Booms, busts and shopping malls: How Texas community colleges are revamping workforce development [Education Dive]

Workforce academies elevate dual enrollment at one community college [Education Dive]

Ed Department Expands Foreign Gift Reporting Requirements [Inside Higher Ed]

College for cops? Studies show it helps their behavior, stress levels [The Hill]

Congressional Democrats worry pandemic will worsen racial disparities in education [Inside Higher Ed]

Trump Expands Immigration Restrictions [Inside Higher Ed]

Whistleblower: Education Department Killed Website That Made Applying for Loan Forgiveness Too Easy [US News]

Thousands of community college students withdraw after a lost semester amid coronavirus [The Los Angeles Times]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
Speaker of the House
Press Release: Speaker Pelosi and Leader Schumer Demand Sen. McConnell End Republican Inaction on Heroes Act; Dem Leaders Call for Immediate Bipartisan, Bicameral Negotiations to Address Public Health & Economic Crises

Press Release: Transcript of Pelosi Interview on Telemundo’s Noticias Telemundo

Senate Majority Leader
Press Release: McConnell on ‘The Guy Benson Show’

House Education and Labor Committee 
Press Release: Chairman Scott Urges Colleagues to Stand with Defrauded Students By Overriding Presidential Veto of H.J. Res. 76

Press Release: Foxx Commends President Trump for Prioritizing Skills-Based Hiring

Press Release: House Democrats Introduce H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions  
June 30: Full Committee Hearing: “COVID-19: Update On Progress Toward Safely Getting Back To Work And Back To School”
Witnesses: Anthony Fauci, MD, Director, National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; Robert Redfield, MD, Director, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA; ADM Brett Giroir, MD, Assistant Secretary For Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC; Stephen Hahn, MD, Commissioner Of Food And Drugs, United States Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD
10:00 a.m. in G50 Dirksen Senate Office Building or webcast

Press Release: Alexander: Congress Should Act This Year to Prepare for Next Pandemic

House Committee on Energy & Commerce 
Press Release: E&C Health Subcommittee Announces Legislative Hearing On Mental Health Bills

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
ED Press Release: Secretary DeVos Approves Four Additional Perkins Career and Technical Education State Plans

ED Press Release: Secretary DeVos Issues Rule to Ensure CARES Act Funding Serves All Students

DOL Press Release: U.S. Department Of Labor Issues Guidance On Child Labor; Paid Sick And Expanded Family And Medical Leave Amid School And Camp Closures

White House Press Release: Remarks by President Trump at the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board Meeting

IES Report: “STEM Occupational Intentions: Stability and Change Through High School”

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.2 — INVEST in America Act
Sponsor: Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4] (Introduced 06/11/2020) Cosponsors: (129)
Committees: House – Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Reports: H. Rept. 116-437
Latest Action:  House – 06/26/2020 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 350.

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: (162)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 06/26/2020 The Chair announced that the bill and accompanying veto message were referred to the Committee on Education and Labor. The Chair directed the Clerk to notify the Senate of the action of the House.
Press Release: ***VIDEO FILE INCLUDED*** Rep. Lee Delivers Speech Urging House to Override Trump Veto of Her Borrower Defense Bill

H.Res.1026 — Expressing the sense of Congress that responses to the COVID-19 pandemic by the education system must be narrowly tailored to protect the well-being of children in different parts of the country.
Sponsor: Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9] (Introduced 06/26/2020) Cosponsors: (11)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 06/26/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.7327 — Child Care for Economic Recovery Act
Sponsor: Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-17] (Introduced 06/25/2020) Cosponsors: (5)
Committees: House – Ways and Means; Budget; Appropriations
Latest Action:  House – 06/25/2020 Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committees on the Budget, and 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…
Press Release: Lowey Introduces Child Care Legislation To Support Families And Bolster America’s Economic Recovery

H.R.7328 — To make temporary changes to grants made under the Community Services Block Grant Act to facilitate local coronavirus relief.
Sponsor: Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-11] (Introduced 06/25/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 06/25/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Representatives DeSaulnier and Thompson Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Economic Impacts of Coronavirus

H.R.7341 — To provide support and flexibility for the Federal workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11] (Introduced 06/25/2020) Cosponsors: (8)
Committees: House – Ways and Means; Judiciary; House Administration; Oversight and Reform; Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 06/25/2020 Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, the Judiciary, Ways and Means, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such…

H.R.7372 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include all members of the Armed Forces in the definition of “independent student” for purposes of determining the eligibility of such members for Federal financial assistance, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Reschenthaler, Guy [R-PA-14] (Introduced 06/25/2020) Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 06/25/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

S.2163 — Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL] (Introduced 07/18/2019) Cosponsors: (13)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 06/25/2020 Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Press Release: Rubio Applauds Unanimous Senate Passage of Legislation to Establish Commission Devoted to Uplifting Black Communities

S.4081 — A bill to provide a grant program for elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education to help offset costs associated with complying with guidelines, recommendations, and other public health communications issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or a State, Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or locality related to mitigating the hazards presented by COVID-19.
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI] (Introduced 06/25/2020) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 06/25/2020 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Stabenow Introduces New Bipartisan Bill to Help Michigan School Districts and Colleges Safely Reopen this Fall

H.R.7303 — To provide additional funds for Federal and State facility energy resiliency programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE-At Large] (Introduced 06/24/2020) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
Latest Action:  House – 06/24/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Press Release: Blunt Rochester, U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduce Plan to Make Public Facility Infrastructure Better Prepared for Public Health Emergencies

H.R.7308 — To authorize appropriations for offsetting the costs related to reductions in research productivity resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
Sponsor: Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1] (Introduced 06/24/2020) Cosponsors: (5)
Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology; Natural Resources; Energy and Commerce; Education and Labor; Armed Services; Agriculture
Latest Action:  House – 06/24/2020 Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Education and Labor, Energy and Commerce, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case…
Press Release: DeGette introduces bipartisan legislation to support U.S. research community during pandemic

H.R.7321 — To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to establish grants to support the establishment of personal reemployment accounts to assist Americans in gaining skills and returning to work following the economic disruption caused by COVID-19.
Sponsor: Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21] (Introduced 06/24/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 06/24/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Stefanik, Moulton Introduce The Elevating America’s Workforce Act

S.4055 — A bill to address health workforce shortages and disparities highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic through additional funding for the National Health Service Corps and the Nurse Corps, and to establish a National Health Service Corps Emergency Service demonstration project.
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] (Introduced 06/24/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 06/24/2020 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Durbin, Rubio Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Expand Health Care Workforce To Meet Nationwide Challenges Highlighted By COVID-19

S.4060 — A bill to provide additional funds for Federal and State facility energy resiliency programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN] (Introduced 06/24/2020) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate – Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Action:  Senate – 06/24/2020 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Press Release: U.S. Senator Tina Smith, U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester Introduce Plan to Make Public Facility Infrastructure Better Prepared for Public Health Emergencies

S.4063 — A bill to provide that, due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19, applications for impact aid funding for fiscal year 2022 may use certain data submitted in the fiscal year 2021 application.
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD] (Introduced 06/24/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 06/24/2020 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Thune, Smith Introduce Bill to Ease Application Process for the Impact Aid Program During COVID-19 Pandemic

H.R.7293 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide best practices on student suicide awareness and prevention training and condition State educational agencies, local 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.
Sponsor: Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-52] (Introduced 06/22/2020) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
Latest Action:  House – 06/22/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

H.R.7294 — To suspend Federal Perkins Loans repayments during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Porter, Katie [D-CA-45] (Introduced 06/22/2020) Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: House – Ways and Means; Judiciary; Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 06/22/2020 Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and 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…
Press Release: Rep. Porter Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Provide Student Borrower Relief for Perkins Loan Holders

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Rule Correction: Institutional Eligibility Under the Higher Education Act of 1964, as Amended

NSF Comment Request: Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Program. Comments are due on or before August 24, 2020. 

Executive Office of the President Proclamation: Suspension of Entry of Immigrants and Nonimmigrants Who Present a Risk to the United States Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak.

ED Grant Notice; New Deadline: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), Sections 18004(a)(1), 18004(a)(2), and 18004(a)(3); Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Applications are due on August 1, 2020.

ED Grant Notice: FY 2020 Education Stabilization Fund-Reimagine Workforce Preparation (ESF-RWP) Grants Program. Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: July 13, 2020. Applications are due on August 24, 2020.