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

June 2, 2021

HOUSE and SENATE
The House was not in session last week. The House and Senate will have a District and State work period this week.

ADMINISTRATION
The Biden Administration released its first full Presidential budget submission to Congress for Fiscal Year 2022.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced the beginning of the first negotiated rulemaking process under the Biden Administration.

ED released a Frequently Asked Questions document related to the Governor’s Education Emergency Relief (GEER) and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds.

The Biden Administration announced the President’s intent to nominate Lisa Brown to serve as the General Counsel at ED.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the selection of five teams and individuals to analyze how Federal labor policies, protections and programs reach historically underserved communities.

IES released the Condition of Education 2021, a Congressionally mandated annual report on education trends.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Biden administration reverses Trump-era policy that hampered probes of student loan companies [The Hill]

Public colleges use debt collection agencies, make students’ bills grow fast [The Hechinger Report]

Course on Race ‘Paused’ at Community College [Inside Higher Ed]

How Federal Stimulus Spending Plays Out for State Higher Ed [Inside Higher Ed]

Biden’s Education Dept. is tackling the big problems with student-loan forgiveness programs but it will take a while [Insider]

The Persistent Grip of Social Class on College Admissions [The New York Times]

Community Colleges Seek to Share Classes Online [Inside Higher Ed]

State Higher Ed Funding Increases for 8th Straight Year [Inside Higher Ed]

Opinion: COVID relief vital to successful reopening of schools [The Hill]

Mental Health Problems Loom for the COVID Generation. Here’s Schools Can Do [Education Week]

Opinion: Community College Should Be More Than Just Free [The New York Times]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
Senate Minority Leader
Press Release: McConnell: President Biden’s Budget “Would Drown American Families in Debt, Deficits, and Inflation”

House Education and Labor Committee
Press Release: Chairman Scott: Biden Budget Is a Blueprint for a Stronger Economy

Blog: @EdLaborGOP is Working to Expand Child Care Access

Press Release: What They’re Saying: The Keeping All Students Safe Act

Press Release: Ed & Labor, Ways & Means Unveil New Family Leave and Child Care Proposal

Remarks: Foxx Opening Statement at Subcommittee Hearing on Workforce Investment

Press Release: Scott Praises Biden Administration Steps to Strengthen Higher Education for Students and Taxpayers

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Press Release: Senator Murray Praises “Historic” Child Care Investment in Budget Proposal, Continues Push to Pass Child Care for Working Families Act

Press Release: What They’re Saying: The Keeping All Students Safe Act

Remarks: Burr Criticizes Democrats’ Endless Spending Proposals, Urges Colleagues to Focus on Getting Americans Back to Work

Press Release: HELP Committee Unanimously Passes Bipartisan Bills to Address Maternal Mortality Crisis, Support Mental Health of Health Care Workers, And More

House Committee on Appropriations
June 9: Subcommittee Hearing: “Subcommittees: The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Member Day”
Witnesses: The Honorable David N. Cicilline, Member of Congress; The Honorable Jenniffer González-Colón, Member of Congress; The Honorable Andy Levin, Member of Congress.
10:00 am via Webcast

House Committee on the Budget 
Press Release: Biden’s Budgetary Betrayal Of The Working Class

Press Release: Biden’s Budget: “An extreme show of disrespect for America’s working-class families.”

Online Events:
June 2: The Brookings Institute event—“Can Biden’s broadband infrastructure plan close the digital divide?”
President Biden and Vice President Harris are soliciting bipartisan support for their sweeping infrastructure proposal, which aims to expand access to high-speed internet for all Americans, among other things. The administration’s broadband proposal is largely modeled after the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, co-sponsored by House Majority Whip James Clyburn and Senator Amy Klobuchar. Areas of focus are the availability, affordability, and adoption of the internet to close the digital divide across the country and to support emerging broadband-enabled trends such as telehealth, distance learning, and remote work.
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Eastern
Register here.

June 7 – 11: U.S. Department of Education event— “Title IX Public Hearing”
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announces a virtual public hearing to gather information for the purpose of improving enforcement of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
At the hearing, members of the public may comment on steps the Department can take to ensure that schools are providing students with educational environments free from discrimination in the form of sexual harassment, which encompasses sexual assault and other forms of sexual violence. Members of the public may also comment on how the Department can continue to ensure that schools have grievance procedures that provide for the fair, prompt, and equitable resolution of reports of sexual harassment and other sex discrimination, cognizant of the sensitive issues that are often involved.  OCR also seeks the public’s comments on the Department’s role in addressing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in educational environments.
Register here.

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
White House Remarks: President Biden on the Economy

White House Press Release: FACT SHEET: The American Jobs Plan Will Produce, Preserve, and Retrofit More Than 2 Million Affordable Housing Units and Create Good-Paying Jobs

ED Press Release: Statement by Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on the President’s Fiscal Year 2022 Budget

DOL Press Release: US Department Of Labor Awards More Than $52m In Grants To Help Homeless Veterans Reenter The Workforce

DOL Press Release: Us Department Of Labor Announces Selection Of Researchers To Analyze How Labor Policies, Protections, Programs Reach Underserved Communities

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.3564 — To repeal the temporary rule allowing full deduction of business meals and to provide an appropriation for making payments under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990.
Sponsor: Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1] (Introduced 05/28/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Ways and Means; Appropriations
Latest Action: House – 05/28/2021 Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Appropriations, 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 concerned.
Press Release: Bonamici, Meijer Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Repeal Increased “3 Martini Lunch” Deduction; Direct $5 Billion to Child Care

H.R.3586 — To reauthorize and improve a grant program to assist institutions of higher education in establishing, maintaining, improving, and operating Student Veteran Centers.
Sponsor: Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-21] (Introduced 05/28/2021) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 05/28/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.3599 — To establish a Federal rotational cyber workforce program for the Federal cyber workforce, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17] (Introduced 05/28/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Oversight and Reform
Latest Action: House – 05/28/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
Press Release: Khanna, Mace Introduce Bill To Strengthen Cybersecurity Workforce In Government

H.R.3615 — To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to monitor compliance with the requirements of the American Rescue Plan relating to the uses of funds for child care.
Sponsor: Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-2] (Introduced 05/28/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 05/28/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Miller-Meeks & Buchanan Introduce Bill to Increase Accountability in Child Care Funds

S.1886 — A bill to support the establishment of an apprenticeship college consortium.
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN] (Introduced 05/27/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 05/27/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

H.R.3473 — To establish an expansive infrastructure program to create local jobs and raise the quality of life in every community, to launch middle class career pathways in infrastructure, and to invest in high-quality American jobs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37] (Introduced 05/25/2021) Cosponsors: (22)
Committees: House – Transportation and Infrastructure; Education and Labor; Agriculture; Financial Services; Energy and Commerce; Natural Resources; Homeland Security; Small Business
Latest Action: House – 05/26/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Press Release: Bass, Gillibrand Introduce Legislation To Ensure Local Communities Benefit First From Infrastructure Projects

S.1842 — A bill to amend title IV of the Social Security Act to provide funding to sustain and increase the supply and quality of child care, access to child care, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] (Introduced 05/26/2021) Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: Senate – Finance
Latest Action: Senate – 05/26/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Press Release: Wyden, Warren, Brown, Casey, Smith Introduce New Bill to Build Child Care Infrastructure and Availability

S.1847 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a community college and career training grant program.
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA] (Introduced 05/26/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 05/26/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Kaine and Young Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Student Success and Career Readiness

S.Amdt.1911 to S.Amdt.1502 — To require institutions of higher education to submit attestations on freedom of speech.
Amends Bill: S.1260
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK] (Submitted 05/20/2021) (Proposed 05/26/2021)
Latest Action: 05/26/21 Amendment SA 1911 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 – 51. Record Vote Number: 207.
Press Release: Senate Dems Block Sullivan Amendment To Protect Free Speech On College Campuses

H.R.3473 — To establish an expansive infrastructure program to create local jobs and raise the quality of life in every community, to launch middle class career pathways in infrastructure, and to invest in high-quality American jobs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37] (Introduced 05/25/2021) Cosponsors: (22)
Committees: House – Transportation and Infrastructure; Education and Labor; Agriculture; Financial Services; Energy and Commerce; Natural Resources; Homeland Security; Small Business
Latest Action: House – 05/25/2021 Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Agriculture, Financial Services, Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, Homeland Security, and Small Business, for a period to be subsequently…
Press Release: Bass, Gillibrand Introduce Legislation To Ensure Local Communities Benefit First From Infrastructure Projects

H.R.3479 — To incentivize American workers to seek and accept jobs, to aid the economic recovery by converting Federal pandemic emergency unemployment compensation into back to work bonuses, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Budd, Ted [R-NC-13] (Introduced 05/25/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Ways and Means
Latest Action: House – 05/25/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.3483 — To establish a grant program in the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to fund the establishment of centers of excellence to support research, development and planning, implementation, and evaluation of effective programs in financial literacy education for young people and families ages 8 through 24 years old, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Carson, Andre [D-IN-7] (Introduced 05/25/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Financial Services; Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 05/25/2021 Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, 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…

H.R.3502 — To amend title IV of the Social Security Act to prevent the child care cliff and increase parental choice for low-income families, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Hern, Kevin [R-OK-1] (Introduced 05/25/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Ways and Means
Latest Action: House – 05/25/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.3545 — To amend section 2202 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to authorize States to expand the uses of the child care stabilization funds to include support for the creation or enhancement of family child care networks designed to increase, or to improve the quality of, child care provided by family child care providers; and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21] (Introduced 05/25/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 05/25/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

S.1827 — A bill to establish an expansive infrastructure program to create local jobs and raise the quality of life in every community, to launch middle class career pathways in infrastructure, and to invest in high-quality American jobs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY] (Introduced 05/25/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate – Environment and Public Works
Latest Action: Senate – 05/25/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Comment Request: Voluntary Decline of Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds Form. Comments due on or before July 27, 2021.

ED Proposed Rule: Negotiated Rulemaking Committee; Public Hearings. Announcing the intention to establish negotiated rulemaking committees to prepare proposed regulations for programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). Public hearings for interested parties to comment on the rulemaking agenda will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on the following dates: June 21, 2021; June 23, 2021; and June 24, 2021. Individuals who would like to present comments at the public hearings must register by sending an email message to negreghearing@ed.gov no later than 12:00 p.m. Eastern time on the business day prior to the public hearing at which they want to speak.