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

August 11, 2020

HOUSE and SENATE
The House was not in session last week and is not expected back in August until action on a subsequent COVID-19 relief package is imminent. The Senate also has not announced a schedule for the upcoming week pending negotiations on the COVID-19 relief package.

ADMINISTRATION
On Saturday, August 8^th President Trump announced he would issue executive orders related to various issues, including an extension of no payments/no interest provisions on Federal student loans.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) released an information collection notice related to funding distributed under the CARES Act (P.L.116-136), which includes a draft reporting form IHEs would need to complete to report how they used Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEER) funds.

ED released an information collection notice related to the impact of COVID-19 on the implementation of Federal waivers from key provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and State and district use of Federal funds, including those provided to help COVID-19 recovery.

ED issued guidance pertaining to participation in ED programs by religious organizations and related matters.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) released a report on skills needed for Algebra I.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Trump extends student loan relief through year’s end [Politico]

Trump’s executive orders could dim prospects of more federal aid for colleges [Inside Higher Ed]

Survey: 40 percent of freshmen may not enroll at any four-year college [Inside Higher Ed]

Another problem with shifting education online: A rise in cheating [The Washington Post]

California colleges can reopen with a ton of restrictions, limited dorms, online classes [Los Angeles Times]

Chaos coast to coast as a school year like no other launches [The Washington Post]

Congress’s Ideological Divide Has Stymied Aid for Pandemic-Stricken Schools [The New York Times]

How Safe Is Your School’s Reopening Plan? Here’s What To Look For [NPR]

As an uncertain fall looms, some colleges turn to free tuition [Education Dive]

Colleges review criminal justice curricula, responding to killing of George Floyd [Inside Higher Ed]

Budget Cuts Devastated Academics During the Last Recession, New Research Finds [Education Week]

Democrats Again Call for Aid to Undocumented Students [Inside Higher Ed]

College faculty’s criticism grows over cuts, reopening [Education Dive]

Two colleges announce tuition-free, additional time on campus for returning and new students [Inside Higher Ed]

What Should College-Admissions Reform Look Like? Researchers Share New Ideas [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

House Approves Bill With $716 Million Increase to Federal Education Spending [Education Week]

As Safety Concerns Mount, Many Colleges Hold Fast to Reopening Plans [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Op-Ed: It’s time to fix the broken higher education transfer pipeline  [The Hill]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
Speaker of the House
Press Release: Pelosi, Schumer Joint Statement on Trump Coronavirus Announcements

Senate Majority Leader 
Press Release: McConnell on President Trump’s Announcement: “Struggling Americans Need Help Now”

House Education and Labor Committee 
Press Release: Chairman Scott Statement on Student Loan Executive Order

Blog: Safely Reopening Schools is NOT a Partisan Issue

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions  
Press Release: Alexander Statement on Executive Orders

Senate Committee on Appropriations  
Press Release: REAX Of Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) To President Trump’s Coronavirus Executive Orders

Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis
Press Release: At Hearing, Witnesses Warn Reopening Schools Without Containing Virus Is “A Recipe, Not Just For Disaster, But For Death”

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
White House Press Release: Memorandum on Continued Student Loan Payment Relief During the COVID-19 Pandemic

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Reaffirms Commitment to Protecting the Religious Liberty of Students and Religious Organizations

DOL Press Release: Statement By U.S. Secretary Of Labor Scalia On Presidential Memorandum Authorizing The Other Needs Assistance Program For Major Disaster Declarations Related To Coronavirus Disease 2019

IES Blog: Acting on Diversity

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.7947 — To provide additional temporary supports and flexibilities for older foster youth, grandparents, and other kinship families, home visiting for pregnant and parenting families, and other child welfare services, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7] (Introduced 08/07/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce
Latest Action:  House – 08/07/2020 Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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 committee…
Press Release: Chairman Davis And Ranking Member Walorski Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Provide Emergency Support For Foster Youth And Child Welfare Services

H.R.7950 — To provide emergency relief to youth, children, and families experiencing homelessness, in light of the health and economic consequences of COVID-19.
Sponsor: Rep. Yarmuth, John A. [D-KY-3] (Introduced 08/07/2020) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Financial Services
Latest Action:  House – 08/07/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Press Release: Reps. Yarmuth, Bacon, Davis, Young Lead Bipartisan Effort to Help Children, Youth, and Families Experiencing Homelessness During Coronavirus Pandemic

H.R.7964 — To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out education programs and peer support programs for family members and caregivers of veterans with mental health disorders.
Sponsor: Rep. Finkenauer, Abby [D-IA-1] (Introduced 08/07/2020) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Action:  House – 08/07/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Press Release: Finkenauer Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Establish Veterans Caregiver Support Program

H.R.7975 — To provide support to develop career and technical education programs of study and facilities in the areas of renewable energy.
Sponsor: Rep. McNerney, Jerry [D-CA-9] (Introduced 08/07/2020) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 08/07/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

S.4483 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to ensure that public institutions of higher education eschew policies that improperly constrain the expressive rights of students, and to ensure that private institutions of higher education are transparent about, and responsible for, their chosen speech policies.
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR] (Introduced 08/06/2020) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 08/06/2020 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Legislation Protecting Free Speech on College Campuses

H.R.7929 — To establish a commission to review certain regulatory obstacles to preparedness for, response to, and recovery from the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and other pandemics, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5] (Introduced 08/04/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Rules; Energy and Commerce; Education and Labor; Financial Services
Latest Action:  House – 08/04/2020 Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Financial Services, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within…
Press Release: Foxx, Comer Push for Bolstered Oversight of Coronavirus Relief Efforts

H.R.7932 — To [award funds for community college and industry partnerships].
Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3] (Introduced 08/04/2020) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 08/04/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Rep. Susie Lee Introduces Bill to Restart Successful 2008 Recession Workforce Development Program During Pandemic

S.4411 — A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to establish in the Federal Communications Commission the Broadband Development Grant Program.
Sponsor: Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC] (Introduced 08/04/2020) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Action:  Senate – 08/04/2020 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Press Release: Senators Graham, Warner, And Scott Introduce Legislation To Promote Broadband In Underserved Areas

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:

ED Final Waivers and Extension of the Project Period: National Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students With Disabilities Grant Program

ED Comment Request: PLUS Adverse Credit Reconsideration Loan Counseling. Comments are due on or before October 5, 2020. 

ED Grant Notice: Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Program. Applications are due on September 8, 2020.

ED Notice: Waivers Granted Under Section 3511 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.