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

July 14, 2020

HOUSE and SENATE
The House, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee approved its Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 LHHS appropriations legislation on a 9 to 6 party-line vote. The full Committee is scheduled to mark up the bill today, Monday, July 13.

ADMINISTRATION
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced it will issue a temporary final rule that would prevent international students from studying in the United States if their academic program takes place entirely online.

President Trump signed an executive order on Hispanic Americans’ access to educational and economic opportunities.

The National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) is scheduled to meet on July 29 and 30. During the meeting NACIQI is expected to consider matters regarding several applications for renewal of recognition, an update on the NACIQI subcommittee focused on board governance, as well as a review of recognition of the Higher Learning Commission. An earlier notice of the meeting included a review of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as a recognized accreditor, but this item was not included in the final agenda.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it would not be restricting eligibility of certain IHEs to receive GI Bill funds.

ED announced the final wave of career and technical education (CTE) State plan approvals. To date, 42 State CTE plans have been approved by ED, with 9 States having combined Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act plans approved. California and Palau have received extensions to submit plans due to COVID-19 disruptions.

SUPREME COURT
In Our Lady of Guadalupe School V. Morrissey-Berru, the Supreme Court ruled that religious freedom protections exempt religious institutions from Federal employment discrimination laws.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Education Department Announces It Won’t Punish Colleges For Reconsidering Student Aid [National Public Radio]

Unreleased CDC Document on Campus Reopening [Inside Higher Ed]

How colleges, and the government, are handling a spike in requests for more financial aid [The Washington Post]

This University Was Allotted More Cares Act Money Than Any Other. Why Didn’t These Students Get Any? [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

What’s the Value of Harvard Without a Campus? [The New York Times ]

Survey finds higher prevalence of depression among students and difficulties accessing mental health care during pandemic [Inside Higher Ed]

Understanding the lawsuits against new Title IX regulations [Inside Higher Ed]

The Students Are Victims of Fraud, but the Government Won’t Help [The New York Times]

Biden and Sanders’s Joint Higher Ed Recommendations [Inside Higher Ed]

Top Education Civil Rights Official Who Oversaw Title IX Shift to Step Down [Education Week]

Next Candidate for the Fall Chopping Block? Student Housing Refunds [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Report finds racial equity gaps in college attendance, debt and defaults based on ZIP Codes [Inside Higher Ed]

Report: How HSIs Support the Latinx Workforce [Inside Higher Ed]

Trump Pledges To ‘Pressure’ Governors To Reopen Schools Despite Health Concerns [National Public Radio]

Will ICE’s guidance cause colleges to change their reopening plans? [Education Dive]

Call for Greater Scrutiny of Online Ed [Inside Higher Ed]
Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS) Report: “Untangling The Web: How to Monitor the Risks of Online Education”

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
Speaker of the House
Press Release: Transcript of Pelosi Weekly Press Conference Today

House Education and Labor Committee 
Press Release: Chairman Scott Invites CDC Director to Testify After WH Pressures it to Change School Guidelines

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions  
Press Release: Murray, HELP Democrats Demand DeVos Reverse All Actions Inconsistent with SCOTUS Decision Affirming LGBTQIA+ Rights

House Committee on Appropriations  
Press Release: Appropriations Committee Releases Fiscal Year 2021 Labor-HHS-Education Funding Bill

Senate Committee on Appropriations 
Press Release: The Mounting Cost Of Inaction: Food Insecurity

House Committee on Small Business 
July 16: Subcommittee Hearing: “Putting America Back to Work: The Role of Workforce Development and Small Business Rehiring”
Witness: Ms. Demetra Smith Nightingale, Institute Fellow, Urban Institute, Washington, DC; Ms. Kelly Folks, Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Director, Workforce Center, Centennial, CO *Testifying on behalf of Workforce Boards and Centers and the Rocky Mountain Workforce Development Association (RMWDA);  Mr. Joe Schaffer, President, Laramie County Community College, Cheyenne, WY *Testifying on behalf of the American Association of Community Colleges; Ms. Carol Friel, Accounting Director, Primary Aim, LLC, Zanesville, OH
1:00 p.m. via WebEx

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
White House Press Release: Remarks by President Trump at Signing of an Executive Order on the White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative

ED Press Release: Noting Remarkable Results Achieved, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos Thanks Assistant Secretary Marcus for His Service Leading Civil Rights Office

DOL Press Release: U.S. Department Of Labor Announces Availability Of $40 Million In Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants

DOL Press Release: “U.S. Department Of Labor Awards More Than $90 Million In Grants To Help Justice-Involved Individuals Enter The Workforce”

IES Report: “First-Time Subbaccalaureate Students: An Overview of Their Institutions, Programs, Completion, and Labor Market Outcomes After 3 Years”

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.7511 — To authorize funding to expand and support enrollment at institutions of higher education that sponsor construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2] (Introduced 07/09/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 07/09/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Congresswoman Angie Craig Introduces Bipartisan Bill With Minnesota Republican Colleague Supporting Career And Technical Education To Help Rebuild National Economy

H.R.7563 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize veterans who are entitled to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to use such entitlement to participate in a career transition internship program for veterans.
Sponsor: Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10] (Introduced 07/09/2020) Cosponsors: (13)
Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Action:  House – 07/09/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

H.R.7495 — To help charitable nonprofit organizations provide services to meet the increasing demand in community needs caused by the coronavirus pandemic, preserve and create jobs in the nonprofit sector, reduce unemployment, and promote economic recovery.
Sponsor: Rep. Sanchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38] (Introduced 07/06/2020) Cosponsors: (7)
Committees: House – Financial Services
Latest Action:  House – 07/06/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Press Release: Sánchez Introduces Bill to Boost Nonprofit Workforce During Pandemic

H.R.7497 — To establish a rural postsecondary and economic development grant program.
Sponsor: Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21] (Introduced 07/06/2020) Cosponsors: (5)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 07/06/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Stefanik, Harder Introduce The Success For Rural Students And Communities Act

S.1253 — Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] (Introduced 04/30/2019) Cosponsors: (27)
Committees: Senate – Judiciary
Latest Action:  House – 07/06/2020 Held at the desk.

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Comment Request: Loan Discharge Applications (DL/FFEL/Perkins). Comments are due on or before August 7, 2020. 

ED Comment Request: Application for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Comments are due on or before August 6, 2020. 

ED Comment Request: Education Stabilization Fund—Reimagine Workforce Preparation Grants. Comments are due on or before August 6, 2020.