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

June 15, 2021

HOUSE and SENATE
The U.S. Senate passed the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, without an amendment that would have permitted Pell grants to be used for short-term courses at institutions of higher education, by a vote of 68-32.

ADMINISTRATION
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced the launch of an Equity Summit Series beginning on June 22.

ED’s Office for Civil Rights released a report entitled “Education in a Pandemic: The Disparate Impact of COVID-19 on America’s Students.”

ED issued the third volume of its COVID-19 Handbook, “Strategies for Safe Operation and Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on Higher Education Students, Faculty and Staff.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidance that provides information, resources and considerations for institutions of higher education (IHEs) to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, increase vaccine uptake and implement protocols based on an individual IHE’s vaccination rates.

ED conducted five days of virtual public hearings to receive input on how the Biden Administration should modify regulations issued by the past Administration related to Title IX and other protections designed to prevent discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity.

ED released final regulations that will be published in the Federal Register on June 14 to remove the subsidized usage loan limit restriction from regulation as required by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.

The U.S. Department of Labor issued an Emergency Temporary Standard pertaining to healthcare workers and COVID-19.

The National Center for Education Statistics released a report on “Parental Involvement in U.S. Public Schools in 2017-2018.”

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Department of Education Releases Updated Student Aid Data [Inside Higher Ed]

Some in Congress Fear State Budget Decisions May Undercut COVID-19 Education Relief [Education Week]

Education Dept. Delays Simplification of the FAFSA [The Washington Post]

Community colleges seek to create caring online services [Inside Higher Ed]

600,000 fewer students enrolled in college this spring, survey finds [Higher Ed Dive]

Community College Cancels Student Debt [Inside Higher Ed]

Online learning will be a bigger priority post-pandemic, college officials say [Higher Ed Dive]

How the national test-optional experiment played out at US colleges [Higher Ed Dive]

Opinion: Proposal for free community college to aid low-income students [The Hechinger Report]

Quick Guide: Ethnic studies requirement coming to California community colleges [EdSource]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
Speaker of the House
Press Release: Pelosi Statement on the 9th Anniversary of DACA

House Education and Labor Committee
June 15: Subcommittee Hearing: “Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Reauthorization: Examining Successful Models of Employment for Justice-Involved Individuals”
Witnesses: Ms. Traci Scott, Vice President, Workforce Development Division, National Urban League, New York, NY; Mr. Gregg Keesling, President, DBA RecycleForce Workforce, Inc., Indianapolis, IN; Dr. Pamela Lattimore, Senior Director for Research Development, Divison for Applied Justice Research, RTI International, Durham, NC; Ms. Wendi Safstrom, Executive Director, SHRM Foundation, Alexandria, VA
10:15 a.m. via Zoom

Press Release: Foxx, Comer, Brady, Smith: Democrats Must End the Stay-At-Home Bonus & Reopen Schools

Press Release: ICYMI: Free College Tuition Programs Already Exist

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
June 16: Full Committee Hearing: Nominations of Gwen Graham to be Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs, Department of Education; Rajesh Nayak to be Assistant Secretary of Labor for Policy; Taryn Mackenzie Williams to be Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy and others
Time and Location TBD, note this hearing will not be webcast 

June 17: Full Committee Hearing: COVID-19 Response and Recovery: Supporting the Needs of Students in Higher Education & Lessons on Safely Returning to Campus
Witnesses: Ms. Youlanda Copeland-Morgan, Vice Provost of Enrollment Management, University of California, Los Angeles, CA; Dr. Reynold Verret, President, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA; Mr. Anthony Harris, Student, Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, OH; Ms. Madeline Pumariega, President, Miami Dade College, Miami, FL
10:00 a.m. in 430 Dirksen Senate Office Building or webcast

Senate Committee on the Budget
Press Release: Graham on Biden Budget: “This tax and spend budget will break the back of our economy.”

House Committee on Small Business 
June 16: Subcommittee Hearing: “Supporting Small Entities through Investments in the National Infrastructure: Broadband”
Witnesses: Ms. Peggy Schaffer, Executive Director, ConnectMaine Authority, Augusta, ME; Mr. Dan Sullivan, President, Downeast Broadband Utility, Calais, ME; Mr. Matt Dunne, Founder and Executive Director, Center on Rural Innovation, Hartland, VT; Mr. Tim Waibel, President, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Burnsville, MN
10:00 a.m. via Zoom

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
Press Release: Chair Cantwell at College Athletics Hearing: “This is the Time to Make Progress”

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
White House Press Release: President Biden Announces His Intent to Nominate Michael D. Smith for Chief Executive Officer of AmeriCorps

White House Press Release: Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Child Tax Credit Awareness Day and Releases Guidance for Unprecedented American Rescue Plan Investments to Support Parents and Healthy Child Development

ED Press Release: Department of Education Updates Series of Student Aid Quarterly Data Reports

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Posts State Plans for Use of American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Students and the Safe and Sustained Reopening of Schools

ED Press Release: Department of Education Announces Actions to Advance Equity in Education

ED Blog: A Promise to Students: Improving How We Award Federal Student Aid

ED Media Advisory: Secretary Cardona and Rep. Andy Levin Highlight COVID-19 Vaccine Sites, American Families Plan with Visits to Colleges in Dearborn and Warren, Michigan

DOL Press Release: US Department of Labor Awards Nearly $20 Million to Expand Workforce Development Activities in Out-of-School Time Organizations

DOL Press Release: US Department of Labor Awards $89 Million in Youthbuild Grants to Support Education, Occupational Skills Development

IES Report: “Revenues and Expenditures for Public Elementary and Secondary Education: FY 19”

IES Report: “2012–2016 Program for International Student Assessment Young Adult Follow-up Study (PISA YAFS): How reading and mathematics performance at age 15 relate to literacy and numeracy skills and education, workforce, and life outcomes at age 19”

IES WWC Snapshot: Research on Dana Center Mathematics Pathways for College Students

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.3859 — To encourage and promote further research into informal learning opportunities to engage youth in STEM fields, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-39] (Introduced 06/14/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology
Latest Action: House – 06/14/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Press Release: Rep. Kim Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Grow STEM Workforce

H.R.3862 — To provide for a Community-Based Emergency and Non-Emergency Response Grant Program.
Sponsor: Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37] (Introduced 06/14/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor; Energy and Commerce; Judiciary
Latest Action: House – 06/14/2021 Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the…
Press Release: Bass, Van Hollen Reintroduce Community-Based Crisis Response Legislation

H.R.3870 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include teacher preparation for computer science in elementary and secondary education.
Sponsor: Rep. Kilmer, Derek [D-WA-6] (Introduced 06/14/2021) Cosponsors: (6)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/14/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.3878 — 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 grants to increase access to child care through the establishment and expansion of child care programs by businesses.
Sponsor: Rep. Steel, Michelle [R-CA-48] (Introduced 06/14/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/14/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Rep. Steel Introduces Bill to Help Working Parents

H.R.3830 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide additional amounts of loan forgiveness to teachers of English learners and teachers of bilingual and dual language immersion students, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2] (Introduced 06/11/2021)
Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/11/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.3840 — To direct the Director of the National Science Foundation to establish a capacity-building program for developing universities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4] (Introduced 06/11/2021)
Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology
Latest Action: House – 06/11/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Press Release: Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Congressman Frank Lucas Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Minority-Serving Institutions’ STEM Research Capabilities.

H.R.3857 — To provide for the basic needs of students at institutions of higher education.
Sponsor: Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35] (Introduced 06/11/2021)
Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/11/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

S.1927 — CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2021
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA] (Introduced 05/27/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 06/10/2021 Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

S.2004 — A bill to provide for the basic needs of students at institutions of higher education.
Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA] (Introduced 06/10/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 06/10/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Padilla, Warren, Torres Introduce Legislation to Improve Equity in Higher Education By Helping Students Access Basic Needs

S.1991 — A bill to authorize a new type of housing choice voucher to help achieve the goals of ending homelessness among families with children, increasing housing opportunities, and improving life outcomes of poor children.
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] (Introduced 06/09/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Action: Senate – 06/09/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Press Release: Van Hollen, Young Reintroduce Legislation To Boost Housing Mobility Vouchers, Increase Americans’ Access To Opportunity

H.R.7 — Paycheck Fairness Act
Sponsor: Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3] (Introduced 01/28/2021) Cosponsors: (225)
Committees: House – Education and Labor Committee Report: H. Rept. 117-13
Latest Action: Senate – 06/08/2021 Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 – 50. Record Vote Number: 227.
Press Release: DeLauro Statement on Senate Failure to Advance Paycheck Fairness Act

H.R.3767 — To establish an Educational Equity Challenge Grant program administered by the Department of Education.
Sponsor: Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/08/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Congresswomen Hayes and Clark Introduce Educational Equity Challenge Grant Act To Improve Academic Advancement and Combat Learning Loss After COVID-19

H.R.3772 — To address root causes of homelessness, meet the needs of community members experiencing harms from homelessness, transition communities towards providing housing for all, end penalization of homelessness, and ensure full democratic participation and inclusion of persons experiencing homelessness, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (16)
Committees: House – Financial Services; House Administration; Judiciary; Education and Labor; Ways and Means
Latest Action: House – 06/08/2021 Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, the Judiciary, Education and Labor, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such…
Press Release: Jayapal and Meng Lead Lawmakers in Introducing the Housing is a Human Right Act

H.R.3779 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award institutions of higher education grants for teaching English learners.
Sponsor: Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/08/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.3792 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to support the development and implementation of programs using data analysis to identify and facilitate strategies to improve outcomes for children in geographic areas with a high prevalence of trauma from exposure to adverse childhood experiences, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (8)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
Latest Action: House – 06/08/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

H.R.3797 — 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 to improve and increase the availability of safe child care facilities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Spartz, Victoria [R-IN-5] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/08/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

S.1260 — Endless Frontier Act
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY] (Introduced 04/20/2021) Cosponsors: (13)
Committees: Senate – Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Action: Senate – 06/08/2021 Passed Senate, under the order of 5/28/21, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 68 – 32. Record Vote Number: 226.
Press Release: Schumer Statement On Senate Passage Of U.S. Innovation And Competition Act

S.1963 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award institutions of higher education grants for teaching English learners.
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 06/08/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1967 — A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to establish a program to carry out minor military construction projects to construct child development centers and to provide education and treatment services for infant and early childhood mental health, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Sinema, Kyrsten [D-AZ] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate – Armed Services
Latest Action: Senate – 06/08/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Comment Request: Randolph-Sheppard Financial Relief and Restoration Payments Appropriation. Comments due on or before July 14, 2021.

ED Comment Request: National Study to Inform the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Program. Comments due on or before August 10, 2021.

FNS Withdrawal of Proposed Rule: Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). As of June 10, 2021, the proposed rule published on July 24, 2019, at 84 FR 35570, is officially withdrawn.

FNS Comment Request: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Forms: Applications, Periodic Reporting, and Notices. Comments must be received on or before August 9, 2021.

ACF Comment Request: State SNAP Agency NDNH Matching Program Performance Report. Comments due within 60 days.