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

September 29, 2020

HOUSE and SENATE
The House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution (CR) on Tuesday to keep the Federal government funded through December 11, 2020. At present the earliest the CR could pass the Senate is Tuesday, September 29. The Senate has a cloture vote scheduled for 5:30 pm that day.

The House Education and Labor Committee voted 26-16 to advance the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 (H.R.8294).

ADMINISTRATION
President Trump issued an executive order regarding race and sex stereotyping.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel is reportedly investigating whether U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos violated the Hatch Act.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED)’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) released its quarterly report this week.

ED has informed multiple Connecticut school districts that it plans to withhold certain Federal funds due to the schools allowing student athletes to participate on sports teams that match their gender identities.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED)’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) released its quarterly report this week, which indicated that no student loan borrowers entered into default during this quarter.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced its first group of Standards Recognition Entities (SREs) for industry-recognized apprenticeship programs (IRAPs).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released indicators to help schools make decisions about conducting in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on strengthening Federal efforts to combat COVID-19.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released a report on race and ethnicity of public school students and their teachers.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a proposed rule for public comment that would define a fixed term for international student visas with the opportunity to extend such terms.

The U.S. Department of Commerce American Workforce Policy Advisory Board (AWPAB) had its seventh meeting this week and released a progress report on learning employment records.

SUPREME COURT
Associate U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away last Friday. President Trump has stated he will likely announce his nomination to fill the Court’s vacancy on Saturday.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Pelosi believes coronavirus stimulus deal still possible as Democrats prepare new package [CNBC]

Could Trump’s proposed visa rule cause foreign students to forgo US colleges? [Education Dive]

Judge Orders Census Bureau to Keep Counting. Here’s Why That Matters for Schools [Education Week]

‘It’s a lot to juggle’: College students with children are overwhelmed this school year [The Washington Post]

Author examines college presidents’ role in racial higher education policies [Inside Higher Ed]

Data reveal complex picture between colleges and county COVID-19 case counts [Inside Higher Ed]

Will the pandemic lead to more competition for transfer students, or stronger partnerships for the transfer process? [Inside Higher Ed]

Course Completion Rates Fell During Remote Switch [Inside Higher Ed]

Op-Ed: Congress should help college students bridge the digital divide [The Hill]

Virus Cases Surged in Young Adults. The Elderly Were Hit Next. [The New York Times]

College enrollment takes a hit this fall amid coronavirus [The Washington Post]

In looking for federal guidance, colleges encountered a compromised CDC [Inside Higher Ed]

With costs up and revenue down for public colleges during coronavirus, one governor has a plan: Refinance [The Washington Post]

This college is responding to an often-ignored population: Working adults [The Washington Post]

Faculty association to investigate 7 colleges over governance during the pandemic [Education Dive]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
Speaker of the House
Press Release: Transcript of Interview on CNN’s State of the Union with Jake Tapper

Press Release: Pelosi Statement on Court Victory Preventing Trump from Curtailing Census

Press Release: Transcript of Pelosi Weekly Press Conference Today

Press Release: Dear Colleague on Passage of the Continuing Resolution

Press Release: Pelosi Statement on Bipartisan Agreement on Continuing Resolution

House Education and Labor Committee 
Press Release: Committee Advances Landmark Legislation to Expand Registered Apprenticeships, Invest in Our Nation’s Workforce

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions  
Press Release: Alexander: Vaccine Program on Track to be an Unprecedented Sprint to Success

Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis
Press Release: Fed Chair Powell At Hearing: To Grow The Economy, We Must “Get Control Of The Virus”

House Committee on Energy and Commerce 
Press Release: Pallone & Doyle On House Passage Of Four Communications And Technology Bills

Senate Committee on Appropriations 
Press Release: Senate Approps. Vice Chairman Leahy Statement On The Motion To Proceed To The Continuing Resolution

House Committee on the Budget 
Press Release: House Democrats Introduce Landmark Reforms Package, the Protecting Our Democracy Act

Senate Committee on the Budget 
Press Release: Enzi: While Congress Remains Focused on Pandemic, It Must Also Plan to Address Debt

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
White House Press Release: Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Launches Rethink Adult Ed Challenge to Grow Pre-Apprenticeship Opportunities for Life-long Learners

DOL Press Release: U.S. Department Of Labor Announces $156 Million In Grants To Provide Career Services and Training Services To Low-Income Older Individuals

IES Blog: “On Learning and Loss in a Time of Covid”

NCER Blog: “Research on Adult Literacy: A History of Investment in American Adults”

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.8400 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow certain Federal student loans to be transferred from a parent to a child, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11] (Introduced 09/25/2020) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 09/25/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Foster Introduces Parents PLUS Loan Fairness and Responsibility Act

H.R.8374 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for establishment of an Office of Minority and Women Inclusion within each covered agency of the Department of Health and Human Services, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3] (Introduced 09/24/2020) Cosponsors: (27)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
Latest Action:  House – 09/24/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Press Release: DeLauro, García, Watson Coleman Introduce Expanding Representation at HHS Act of 2020

H.R.8382 — To prohibit a covered athletic association and institution of higher education from prohibiting a student athlete from participating in intercollegiate athletics because such student athlete enters into an endorsement contract, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Gonzalez, Anthony [R-OH-16] (Introduced 09/24/2020) Cosponsors: (7)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 09/24/2020 Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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: Reps. Gonzalez, Cleaver Unveil Bipartisan Bill To Grant Name, Image, And Likeness To College Athletes

H.R.8393 — To provide student loan forgiveness to health care workers who are on the frontline in response to COVID-19.
Sponsor: Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2] (Introduced 09/24/2020) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Ways and Means; Education and Labor; Financial Services
Latest Action:  House – 09/24/2020 Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, 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…

H.R.8337 — Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act
Sponsor: Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-17] (Introduced 09/22/2020) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Budget; Appropriations
Latest Action:  Senate – 09/23/2020 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 552.

H.R.8357 — To ensure access to apprenticeships for underrepresented groups, eliminate barriers and ensure completion of apprenticeships, and invest in successful apprenticeship intermediaries.
Sponsor: Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7] (Introduced 09/23/2020) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 09/23/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Jayapal Introduces the Apprenticeship Futures for All Act

H.R.8358 — To establish the Commission on the Coronavirus Pandemic in the United States.
Sponsor: Rep. Malinowski, Tom [D-NJ-7] (Introduced 09/23/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
Latest Action:  House – 09/23/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Press Release: Representative Malinowski Introduces Bipartisan Bill To Create Independent, 9/11-Style Commission To Assess, Improve Upon Covid-19 Response

S.4666 — A bill to establish the Commission on the Coronavirus Pandemic in the United States.
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ] (Introduced 09/23/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 09/23/2020 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Menendez, Collins Bill Would Create Independent, 9/11-Style Commission to Assess, Improve upon COVID-19 Response

H.R.4564 — Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2019
Sponsor: Rep. Katko, John [R-NY-24] (Introduced 09/27/2019) Cosponsors: (15)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce | Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Reports: H. Rept. 116-517
Latest Action:  Senate – 09/22/2020 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Katko Legislation to Bolster Aid for Local Suicide Crisis Centers Passes House

H.R.4957 — Native American Child Protection Act
Sponsor: Rep. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ-7] (Introduced 10/31/2019) Cosponsors: (11)
Committees: House – Natural Resources | Senate – Indian Affairs Committee Reports: H. Rept. 116-493
Latest Action:  Senate – 09/22/2020 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Press Release: House Passes Gallego-Authored Bill to Protect Native American Children from Abuse

H.R.5053 — Justice for Juveniles Act
Sponsor: Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5] (Introduced 11/12/2019) Cosponsors: (20)
Committees: House – Judiciary | Senate – Judiciary Committee Reports: H. Rept. 116-515
Latest Action:  Senate – 09/22/2020 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Press Release: Scanlon’s Justice For Juveniles Act, Introduced in Response to Glen Mills, Unanimously Passes House

H.R.5309 — CROWN Act of 2020
Sponsor: Rep. Richmond, Cedric L. [D-LA-2] (Introduced 12/05/2019) Cosponsors: (63)
Committees: House – Judiciary; Education and Labor | Senate – Judiciary
Latest Action:  Senate – 09/22/2020 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Press Release: Rep. Richmond Statement On House Passage Of The Crown Act

H.R.5619 — Suicide Prevention Act
Sponsor: Rep. Stewart, Chris [R-UT-2] (Introduced 01/15/2020) Cosponsors: (5)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce | Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 09/22/2020 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Stewart’s National Suicide Hotline Bill Heads to President’s Desk

H.R.8339 — To expand opportunities for pre-apprenticeships programs.
Sponsor: Rep. Fudge, Marcia L. [D-OH-11] (Introduced 09/22/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 09/22/2020 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Fudge, Cárdenas Introduce Expanding Opportunity through Pre-Apprenticeships Act

S.4639 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a refundable tax credit for expenses relating to school disruption, to provide a monthly payment to families during COVID-19, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO] (Introduced 09/22/2020) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate – Finance
Latest Action:  Senate – 09/22/2020 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Press Release: New Hawley Bill Will Aid Working Families Struggling With School Disruption

S.4649 — A bill to provide that for purposes of determining compliance with title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 in athletics, sex shall be recognized based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.
Sponsor: Sen. Loeffler, Kelly [R-GA] (Introduced 09/22/2020) Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 09/22/2020 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Loeffler Leads Charge to Defend Women and Girls in Sports

S.Res.711 — A resolution calling on the President of the United States to take executive action to broadly cancel Federal student loan debt.
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY] (Introduced 09/22/2020) Cosponsors: (12)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Latest Action:  Senate – 09/22/2020 Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Comment Request: CARES Act 18004(a)(1) Reserve Fund Application. Comments are due on or before October 28, 2020. 

ED Grant Opportunity: Rethink Adult Ed Challenge. AEFLA-funded community colleges, correctional facilities, libraries, community-based organizations, and other adult education providers interested in entering the challenge should submit a preliminary program design by 11:59 p.m. ET on Nov. 25, 2020. To learn more about the Rethink Adult Ed Challenge, join the Oct. 15 virtual information session.

ED Final Rule: Direct Grant Programs, State-Administered Formula Grant Programs, Non Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance, Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program, Strengthening Institutions Program, Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program, and Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions Program. This final rule is effective November 23, 2020.

Executive Office of the President Proclamation: National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week, 2020.