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

May 4, 2021

ADMINISTRATION
The Biden Administration released an outline of its American Families Plan, the second part of the President’s Build Back Better infrastructure plan.

President Biden addressed a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) launched its Summer Learning and Enrichment Collaborative.

ED announced the launch of its Safer Schools and Campuses Best Practices Clearinghouse.

President Biden announced his intention to nominate Roberto Rodriguez to serve as Assistant Secretary of the ED’s Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development (OPEPD). He also announced his intention to nominate Rajesh Nayak to serve as Assistant Secretary of Policy in the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

President Biden issued an Executive Order to establish a task force on worker organizing and empowerment.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it will offer Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer benefits to all low-income children of all ages during the 2021 summer.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics released data regarding the levels of college enrollment and employment among graduates of the class of 2020.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken approved a change in restrictions that will permit college students and academics from certain areas to enter the United States under a “National Interest Exception.”

The Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that its Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP) will extend guidance from March 2020 into the 2021-2022 school year.

DOL announced a new grant program aimed at placing more women in registered apprenticeships and non-traditional occupations.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Public 4-year schools and community colleges are becoming less affordable: report [Higher Ed Dive]
National College Attainment Network Report: “The Growing Gap: Public College Education’s Declining Affordability for Pell Grant Recipients”

Free Tuition Might Save Community Colleges — But What If Students Need More? [The 74]

Shifting Focus From Access to Completion [Inside Higher Ed]

Some universities’ response to budget woes: Making faculty teach more courses [The Hechinger Report]

Community college leaders and others react to Biden’s $1.8 trillion plan [Inside Higher Ed]

Among colleges announcing vaccine requirements, public colleges in Republican states are largely absent [Inside Higher Ed]

No College, No Problem. Some Employers Drop Degree Requirements To Diversify Staffs [NPR]

Biden Taps Ex-Obama Aide Roberto Rodriguez for Key Education Department Job [Education Week]

Biden keeps student loan debt out of his joint address [The Hill]

Higher education leaders praise Biden’s tuition-free college plan: ‘A revolutionary proposal’ [The Washington Post]

Should Pell Grants Cover 8-Week Programs? The Key Podcast [Inside Higher Ed]

Biden proposes free community college in $1.8 trillion plan [Inside Higher Ed]

Lengthy confirmation process could slow progress on higher education issues [Inside Higher Ed]

Federal relief aid is complicating budget season for some public colleges [Higher Ed Dive]

Community college leaders want more data on student needs [Inside Higher Ed]

Survey reveals positive outlook on online instruction post-pandemic [Inside Higher Ed]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
Speaker of the House
Press Release: Pelosi Statement on President Biden’s Address to a Joint Session of Congress

House Minority Leader
Press Release: President Biden’s First 100 Days

Senate Majority Leader
Press Release: How The Senate Democratic Majority Put In Place President Biden’s Historic Team In The First 100 Days

Senate Minority Leader
Press Release: Senate Republicans to Biden Education Department: Withdraw Proposal to Skew U.S. History and Civics Toward “a Politicized and Divisive Agenda”

House Education and Labor Committee
May 6: Subcommittee Hearing: “Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on Students with Disabilities”
Witnesses: to be announced
2:30 p.m. via webcast

Press Release: Foxx, Bost Slam Cardona for Withholding Report on Student Loan Budget Projections

Press Release: Chairman Scott Praises Proposals in American Families Plan to Lower the Cost of College

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Press Release: Murray Urges Confirmation for NLRB Nominee Jennifer Abruzzo and Labor Nominee Seema Nanda

Press Release: Murray on Biden’s Free Community College Proposal in the American Families Plan: “A Bold First Step”

House Committee on Appropriations
May 5: Subcommittee Hearing: “FY 2022 Budget Request for the Department of Education”
Witness: The Honorable Miguel Cardona, Secretary, U.S. Department of Education
10:00 a.m. via webcast

May 6: Subcommittee Hearing: “FY 2022 Budget Request for The Department of Commerce”
Witnesses: The Honorable Gina M. Raimondo, Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce
2:00 p.m. via webcast

House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Press Release: Pallone On President Biden’s American Families Plan

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
White House Press Release: Fact Scheet: The American Families Plan Will Support Children, Teachers, and Working Families in Rural America

White House Press Release: Fact Sheet: The American Families Plan Advances Equity and Racial Justice

White House Press Release: Nominations Sent to the Senate

White House Press Release: Remarks by President Biden in Address to a Joint Session of Congress

White House Press Release: Fact Sheet: 100 Days In, Biden-Harris Administration Makes History with Presidential Appointees

White House Press Release: Fact Sheet: The American Families Plan

DOL Press Release: US Department Of Labor Announces $3.5m Funding Opportunity To Place More Women In Registered Apprenticeships, Nontraditional Occupations

ED Media Advisory: Secretary Cardona to Tour Community College of Baltimore County Catonsville Campus to Highlight the American Families Plan

ED Blog: Financial Literacy Education and Paying for College

IES Report: Bottom Line had potentially positive effects on college enrollment and progression in college for students from low-income households.

IES Report: “Adult Education Strategies: Identifying and Building Evidence of Effectiveness”

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.2912 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require certain institutions of higher education to provide notice of tuition levels for students.
Sponsor: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-8] (Introduced 04/30/2021) Cosponsors: (8)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 04/30/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.2940 — To reauthorize title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Sponsor: Rep. Price, David E. [D-NC-4] (Introduced 04/30/2021) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 04/30/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Representatives Price, Young, and Levin Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Language Skills, Boost American International Competitiveness

H.R.2947 — To ensure that certain incidents involving a covered employee that are reported to the title IX coordinator at an eligible institution of higher education have been reviewed by the president of the institution and not less than 1 additional member of the institution’s board of trustees, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI-8] (Introduced 04/30/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 04/30/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

S.1443 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit treatment of student loan payments as elective deferrals for purposes of employer matching contributions, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] (Introduced 04/29/2021) Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: Senate – Finance
Latest Action: Senate – 04/29/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2357)

S.1445 — A bill to revise counseling requirements for certain borrowers of student loans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] (Introduced 04/29/2021) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 04/29/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Grassley, Smith, Ernst Introduce Bipartisan Bills To Empower Students, Provide Resources To Better Understand College Costs

S.1448 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make technical improvements to the Net Price Calculator system so that prospective students may have a more accurate understanding of the true cost of college.
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] (Introduced 04/29/2021) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 04/29/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1452 — A bill to require a standard financial aid offer form, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] (Introduced 04/29/2021) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 04/29/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1453 — A bill to reauthorize title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965 in order to improve and encourage innovation in international education, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN] (Introduced 04/29/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 04/29/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1464 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to develop a plain language disclosure form for borrowers of Federal student loans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC] (Introduced 04/29/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 04/29/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1480 — A bill to direct the Secretary of Education to deem each month for which certain Federal student loans are in deferment during a period of active duty service as months counted toward public service loan forgiveness.
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH] (Introduced 04/29/2021) Cosponsors: (6)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 04/29/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1487 — A bill to ensure that certain incidents involving a covered employee that are reported to the title IX coordinator at an eligible institution of higher education have been reviewed by the president of the institution and not less than 1 additional member of the institution’s board of trustees, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI] (Introduced 04/29/2021) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 04/29/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1492 — A bill to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish a forgivable loan program for remote recreational businesses, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN] (Introduced 04/29/2021) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Latest Action: Senate – 04/29/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Press Release: U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bipartisan Bills to Help Students, Families Make Financially Sound College Decisions

H.R.2861 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish State and Indian tribe grants for community colleges and grants for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Minority-Serving Institutions, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Levin, Andy [D-MI-9] (Introduced 04/28/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 04/28/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Rep. Levin, House Chairman Scott, Sen. Baldwin, Sen. Chair Murray, Reintroduce Legislation to Provide Two Free Years of Community College

H.R.2874 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to develop a plain language disclosure form for borrowers of Federal student loans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5] (Introduced 04/28/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 04/28/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.2886 — To establish universal child care and early learning programs.
Sponsor: Rep. Jones, Mondaire [D-NY-17] (Introduced 04/28/2021) Cosponsors: (16)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 04/28/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

S.1422 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a credit for employer-provided worker training.
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA] (Introduced 04/28/2021) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Finance
Latest Action:  Senate – 04/28/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Press Release: Warner Introduces Bicameral, Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Workforce Training as Part of COVID-19 Economic Recovery Efforts

S.1440 — A bill to make technical corrections to the FAFSA Simplification Act.
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH] (Introduced 04/28/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 04/28/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1442 — A bill to establish the Corporation for Career Pathways to promote pathways to unfilled and emerging job markets, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV] (Introduced 04/28/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 04/28/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1374 — A bill to direct the Director of the National Science Foundation to support STEM education and workforce development research focused on rural areas, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS] (Introduced 04/27/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate – Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Action:  Senate – 04/27/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Press Release: Wicker, Colleagues Reintroduce Bipartisan Rural STEM Education Act

S.1396 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish State and Indian Tribe grants for community colleges and grants for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Minority-Serving Institutions, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI] (Introduced 04/27/2021) Cosponsors: (9)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 04/27/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Baldwin, Levin, Murray, Scott Reintroduce Legislation To Provide Two Free Years Of Community College

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
VA Meeting Notice: The Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education. The Committee will meet virtually using Microsoft Teams June 9, 2021-June 10, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern.. 

DOL Grant Notice: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult Activities Program Allotments for Program Year (PY) 2021. Applications due May 27, 2021 by 4:00 p.m. Eastern.

HHS Comment Request: Assessing the Implementation and Cost of High-Quality Early Care and Education. Comments due within 60 days of publication.

ED Comment Request: Federal Student Loan Program: Internship/Residency and Loan Debt Burden Forbearance Forms. Comments due on or before June 28, 2021.