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

February 2, 2021

HOUSE and SENATE
Last week, House Education and Labor Republicans announced new GOP Members that would join the Committee. The list of members can be found here.

The House Appropriations Democrats announced the Democratic Subcommittee Chairs and new Subcommittee Members. Democrat members of all of the House Appropriations Subcommittees, including Labor, Health and Human Services and Related Agencies (LHHS), can be found here.

Speaker Pelosi announced new assignments for certain committees, including the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. The committee assignments can be found here.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee announced it will hold confirmation hearings to consider Dr. Miguel Cardona to serve as U.S. Secretary of Education and Mayor Marty Walsh to serve as U.S. Secretary of Labor on Wednesday, February 3 and Thursday, February 4, respectively.

ADMINISTRATION
President Biden signed an Executive Order on “Combating Racism” in the United States.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced a number of appointments to fill senior roles at the Department.

Career staff at ED have recommended that the Department terminate its recognition of the American Council of Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers released recommendations to reopen schools for in-person learning if proper community containment measures are in place.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) released a report on “Drawing across school boundaries: How federally-funded magnet schools recruit and admit students.”

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on “Higher Education: IRS and Education Could Better Address Risks Associated with Some For-Profit College Conversions.”

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Cardona to Go Before Senate This Week [Inside Higher Ed]

Burr to Be Senate’s Top Republican on Education [Inside Higher Ed]

Biden faces pressure to oust federal student loan chief appointed by DeVos [POLITICO]

Ed Dept. Encourages Approving Aid to Unemployed Students [Inside Higher Ed]

Advocates hope for better data, requirements on colleges and race [Inside Higher Ed]

Applications surge after big-name colleges halt SAT and ACT testing rules [The Washington Post]

The full story on admissions isn’t just what you’ve been reading [Inside Higher Ed]

A steady stream of Latino students was arriving on college campuses. Then the pandemic hit. [The Washington Post]

Backlash Over Virus at SUNY College: ‘Learn From Your Fall 2020 Mistakes!’ [The New York Times]

Applications for Next Year’s Freshman Class Are on the Rise — With Warning Signs for Equity [The Chronicle of Higher Education]
National Student Clearinghouse Report: “Undergraduate Degree Earners”

Top House Lawmaker for Education Wants Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Off His Committee [Education Week]

GAO Criticizes Ed Dept. Scrutiny of For-Profit College Conversions [Inside Higher Ed]
GAO Report: “Higher Education: IRS and Education Could Better Address Risks Associated with Some For-Profit College Conversions”

Will more public colleges freeze tuition for next year? [Higher Ed Dive]

Advocates of Black Colleges Are Optimistic. Here’s What They Want From the Biden Administration. [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

With Pell Grants restored to people in prison, eyes turn to assuring quality [Inside Higher Ed]

Rural counties would be economically devastated if their public colleges closed: report [Higher Ed Dive]

CDC Makes The Case For Schools Reopening [NPR]

Cardona Expresses Support for Access to Community Colleges, Debt Cancellation [Inside Higher Ed]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
Speaker of the House
Press Release: Pelosi Announces New Committee Appointments

Senate Majority Leader
Press Release: ICYMI: TRANSCRIPT – In Interview With MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, Majority Leader Schumer Outlines Big, Bold Agenda To Deliver Help To The American People

Senate Minority Leader
Remarks: McConnell: Continuing to Fight COVID-19 Will Take “Smart, Bipartisan Actions”

House Education and Labor Committee
Press Release: Education Leaders Introduce Bills to Reopen and Rebuild America’s Schools, Save Education Jobs, and Recover Lost Time in the Classroom

Press Release: Chairman Scott Statement on GOP Appointments to Education and Labor Committee

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
February 3: Full Committee Hearing: “Nomination of Miguel Cardona to serve as Secretary of Education”
Witness: Dr. Miguel Cardona, from Connecticut, to serve as United States Secretary of Education
10:00 a.m. in 430 Dirksen Senate Office Building and remotely via WebEx

February 4: Full Committee Hearing: “Nomination of Marty Walsh to serve as Secretary of Labor’
Witness: Mayor Marty Walsh, from Massachusetts, to serve as United States Secretary of Labor
10:00 a.m. in 430 Dirksen Senate Office Building and remotely via WebEx

House Appropriations Committee
Press Release: DeLauro Announces Appropriations Committee Roster

House Committee on Energy & Commerce
February 2: Subcommittee Hearing: “No Time To Lose: Solutions To Increase Covid-19 Vaccinations In The States”
Witnesses: Dr. Ngozi Ezike, M.D., Director, Illinois Department of Public Health; Dr. Joneigh S. Khaldun, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.E.P., Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy Director, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; Dr. Clay Marsh, M.D., COVID-19/Coronavirus Czar, West Virginia; Dr. Courtney N. Phillips, Ph.D., Secretary, Louisiana Department of Health; Jill Hunsaker Ryan, M.P.H., Executive Director, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
11:00 a.m. via Webex

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
White House Press Release: Statement from White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki

ED Press Release: Education Department Letter Highlights Effort to Help Americans Pursue Higher Ed During Pandemic

IES Report: “National Household Education Survey Programs of 2019 Public-Use Data Files”

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.7 — To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide more effective remedies to victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3] (Introduced 01/28/2021) Cosponsors: (224)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 01/28/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: DeLauro, Murray Reintroduce Paycheck Fairness Act

H.R.518 — To direct the Secretary of Labor to award grants to eligible entities to carry out or expand youth apprenticeship programs.
Sponsor: Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20] (Introduced 01/28/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 01/28/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Castro, Spanberger Re-Introduce Bill To Expand Apprenticeships, Partner With Higher Education And Industry

H.R.542 — To authorize the establishment of an Education Jobs Fund to retain and create education jobs in communities most impacted by COVID-19, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5] (Introduced 01/28/2021) Cosponsors: (30)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 01/28/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Hayes Reintroduces Save Education Jobs Act To Protect Nearly 4 Million Education Jobs, Spur Economic Growth In The Wake Of Covid-19 Pandemic

H.R.548 — To direct the Secretary of Labor to make a determination on whether to approve an occupation as an apprenticeable occupation in a timely manner, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Kim, Andy [D-NJ-3] (Introduced 01/28/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 01/28/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.559 — To promote the furtherance of standards necessary to safeguard the welfare of apprentices.
Sponsor: Rep. Levin, Andy [D-MI-9] (Introduced 01/28/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 01/28/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Levin, Bonamici Introduce Legislation to Improve Quality of Apprenticeships

H.R.578 — To promote registered apprenticeships, including registered apprenticeships within in-demand industry sectors, through the support of workforce intermediaries, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1] (Introduced 01/28/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 01/28/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Reps. Norcross & McKinley, Sens. Coons & Young Introduce Bill to Expand Registered Apprenticeships to New Job Sectors

H.R.602 — To provide State and local workforce and career and technical education systems with support to respond to the COVID-19 national emergency.
Sponsor: Rep. Scott, Robert C. “Bobby” [D-VA-3] (Introduced 01/28/2021) Cosponsors: (21)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 01/28/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Democrats Introduce Legislation To Invest $15 Billion In Workforce Training As Pandemic Unemployment Crisis Continues

H.R.603 — To provide for increases in the Federal minimum wage, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Scott, Robert C. “Bobby” [D-VA-3] (Introduced 01/28/2021) Cosponsors: (190)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 01/28/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Democrats Introduce Legislation To Invest $15 Billion In Workforce Training As Pandemic Unemployment Crisis Continues

H.J.Res.20 — Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States recognizing and securing the fundamental right to life, liberty, and property, which includes housing, health care, education, and nutrition.
Sponsor: Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12] (Introduced 01/28/2021) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Judiciary
Latest Action:  House – 01/28/2021 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Press Release: Reps. Adams, Omar, Schakowsky Introduce Constitutional Amendment Guaranteeing Fundamental Human Rights

S.121 — A bill to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to establish demonstration and pilot projects to facilitate education and training programs in the field of advanced manufacturing.
Sponsor: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV] (Introduced 01/28/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 01/28/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Rosen Re-Introduces Trio of Bills Focusing on Bringing Jobs Back to Nevada

S.52 — A bill to establish a career pathway grant program.
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH] (Introduced 01/26/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 01/26/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Senators Hassan, Young, Collins, Kaine Introduce Bipartisan Gateway to Careers Act to Expand Job Opportunities and Strengthen Innovative Businesses

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Comment Request: Application for Grants Under the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Master’s Degree Program. Comments due on or before March 1, 2021. 

Executive Office of the President Executive Order: Economic Relief Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

ED Notice: Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Programs; 2021-22 Award Year Deadline Dates. The deadline dates for each program are specified in the chart in the Deadline Dates section of this notice.

ED Comment Request: Application for Perkins Innovation and Modernization Program Grants.