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

June 22, 2021

HOUSE and SENATE
The House Appropriations Committee announced its Fiscal Year 2022 markup schedule.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted to advance the nomination of Gwen Graham to serve the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Congressional Affairs.

ADMINISTRATION
ED issued an official Notice of Interpretation that will be published in the Federal Register which states that Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

ED posted State plans for use of American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds.

The Federal Communications Commission began the 45-day application period for the Emergency Connectivity Fund under the ARP.

ED announced it approved 18,000 borrower defense to repayment (BDR) claims connected to borrowers who attended the now-defunct ITT Technical Institute (ITT).

The Biden Administration announced the President’s intent to nominate Sandra Bruce to serve as ED’s Inspector General (IG).

ED’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) announced that it would not be able to meet the implementation timeline laid out in the FAFSA Simplification Act passed by Congress last December and that full implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act would not take place until the 2024-2025 award year.

ED released a quarterly update on Federal student loan volume and the number of students who have taken advantage of the pause on interest, payments and collections extended by President Biden this year, as well as data on the number of students granted loan forgiveness under the public service loan forgiveness (PSLF) program.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona has delegated the decision about whether to uphold ED’s decision to terminate the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools’ status as a Federally recognized accreditor of institutions of higher education (IHEs).

The National Center for Education Statistics released a report on “First Look at the Impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic on Undergraduate Student Enrollment, Housing, and Finances (Preliminary Data).”

SUPREME COURT
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court invited the acting Solicitor General to provide the views of the U.S. government on a pending case, Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Department of Education holds public hearings for negotiated rule making  [Inside Higher Ed]

Democrat Stalls Confirmation of Top Biden Higher Education Pick [Bloomberg News]

Groups Ask Education Department to Take Action on College Voting [Inside Higher Ed]

Column: Employers, don’t blame the ‘skills gap’ on workers, blame yourselves [The Hechinger Report]

How colleges can be proactive about the ransomware threat [Higher Ed Dive]

Supreme Court Backs Payments to Student-Athletes in N.C.A.A. Case [The New York Times]

Are tuition-share agreements between colleges and OPMs on solid legal footing? [Higher Ed Dive]

How the For the People Act Would Impact Higher Ed [Inside Higher Ed]

‘Millions upon millions’ in employer-funded education benefits go unused [The Hechinger Report]

NCES report examines impacts of pandemic on undergraduate enrollment, finances and housing [Inside Higher Ed]
National Center for Education Statistics Report: “2019–20 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:20): First Look at the Impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic on Undergraduate Student Enrollment, Housing, and Finances (Preliminary Data)”

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
Speaker of the House
Press Release: Pelosi Remarks at Virtual San Francisco Press Event on Child Tax Credit Monthly Payments

House Education and Labor Committee
Press Release: What They’re Saying: Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act

Press Release: Pocan, Scott, Hirono, Murray Introduce Bill to Double Pell Grant, Make College More Affordable

Press Release: Scott Statement on Biden’s ED Providing Thousands of Defrauded Borrowers Debt Relief

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Press Release: Senator Murray Urges Action to Make Higher Education More Affordable and Accessible, As Colleges Work to Reopen this Fall

Press Release: What They’re Saying: Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act

Online Events:
June 28: Brookings event— “Examining the effects of student debt cancellation”
As tuition rates continue to grow at higher education institutions, so too do the number of students taking out student loans as well as the average loan amount—which surpassed $30,000 in 2020, a staggering, nearly three-fold increase over the last three decades. While the rise in tuition has continued to spiral, outpacing wages and overall inflation, the problem has been especially problematic for Black households. Holding 10 times less wealth than white households, the impact of increasing student debt is jeopardizing the long-term financial stability of Black households. With the issue of student debt cancellation taking prominence in national policy debates, it is vitally important to consider wealth, rather than income, as a primary equity-based determinant of student loan debt reform.
On Monday, June 28, the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program will host an event examining the disproportionate effects of growing student loan debt on wealth-poor communities, assess the various proposals for debt cancellation, and discuss how these various proposals could have ameliorative effects on the racial wealth gap. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) will provide keynote remarks focused on potential legislative and executive action, and panelists will debate the merits of various student debt cancellation proposals.
Viewers can submit questions by emailing events@brookings.edu or tweeting to @BrookingsMetro using the hashtag #StudentDebt.
10:00 – 11:15 a.m. Eastern
Register here.

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
White House Press Release: Statement by President Joe Biden on Child Tax Credit Awareness Day

ED Press Release: Secretary Cardona Holds Virtual Roundtable with Early Childhood Stakeholders to Discuss Priorities for Early Learning

ED Press Release: Department of Education Announces Approval of New Categories of Borrower Defense Claims Totaling $500 Million in Loan Relief to 18,000 Borrowers

IES Report: “Using High School Data to Explore Early College Success on Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia”

IES Report: Methodological Research Datafile: 2012 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study student records data

IES Report: “2019–20 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:20): First Look at the Impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic on Undergraduate Student Enrollment, Housing, and Finances (Preliminary Data)”

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.4002 — To expand access to graduate education by amending the Federal Pell Grant program to include postbaccalaureate study.
Sponsor: Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2] (Introduced 06/17/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/17/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Kuster, Burchett, Schrier, Upton Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Make Graduate Education More Affordable for Low-Income Students

H.R.4005 — To direct the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to establish a School Cybersecurity Improvement Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-6] (Introduced 06/17/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Homeland Security; Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/17/2021 Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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: Matsui, Langevin, Katko, Garbarino Introduce The Enhancing K-12 Cybersecurity Act

H.R.4007 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to ensure that public institutions of higher education eschew policies that improperly constrain the expressive rights of students, and to ensure that private institutions of higher education are transparent about, and responsible for, their chosen speech policies.
Sponsor: Rep. Murphy, Gregory [R-NC-3] (Introduced 06/17/2021) Cosponsors: (22)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/17/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Murphy Introduces the Campus Free Speech Restoration Act

H.R.4011 — To divert Federal funding away from supporting the presence of police in schools and toward evidence-based and trauma informed services that address the needs of marginalized students and improve academic outcomes, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7] (Introduced 06/17/2021) Cosponsors: (8)
Committees: House – Education and Labor; Judiciary
Latest Action: House – 06/17/2021 Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: Pressley, Murphy, Warren, Omar, Bowman, Smith Introduce Bill To End The Criminalization Of Students, Invest In Counselors, Safer Environment For Kids

S.2125 — A bill to divert Federal funding away from supporting the presence of police in schools and toward evidence-based and trauma informed services that address the needs of marginalized students and improve academic outcomes, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT] (Introduced 06/17/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 06/17/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Murphy Discusses Legislation to Make School a Safe & Inclusive Environment for All Students

S.2127 — A bill to amend title 31, United States Code, to require that Federal children’s programs be separately displayed and analyzed in the President’s budget, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ] (Introduced 06/17/2021) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Budget
Latest Action: Senate – 06/17/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.

S.2133 — A bill to amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide for studies and reports relating to the impact of legislation on spending on children, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] (Introduced 06/17/2021) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Budget
Latest Action: Senate – 06/17/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.

H.R.3928 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to reform the American History for Freedom program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Cawthorn, Madison [R-NC-11] (Introduced 06/16/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/16/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.3941 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an exclusion from gross income for AmeriCorps educational awards.
Sponsor: Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1] (Introduced 06/16/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Ways and Means
Latest Action: House – 06/16/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Press Release: Larson, Bacon, Bennet, Cassidy Introduce Tax Relief for National Service Volunteers

H.R.3943 — To establish a commission to make recommendations for modernizing Federal financing of early care and education programs.
Sponsor: Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4] (Introduced 06/16/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor; Ways and Means
Latest Action: House – 06/16/2021 Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on 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 jurisdiction of the committee…
Press Release: Owens, Estes Introduce Early Childhood Education Legislation

H.R.3946 — To improve the structure of the Federal Pell Grant program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2] (Introduced 06/16/2021) Cosponsors: (57)
Committees: House – Education and Labor; Budget
Latest Action: House – 06/16/2021 Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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: Pocan, Scott, Hirono, Murray Introduce Bill to Double Pell Grant, Make College More Affordable

S.2086 — A bill to improve the identification and support of children and families who experience trauma.
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] (Introduced 06/16/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 06/16/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Durbin, Capito, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Address Childhood Trauma

H.R.6 — American Dream and Promise Act of 2021
Sponsor: Rep. Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D-CA-40] (Introduced 03/03/2021) Cosponsors: (175)
Committees: House – Judiciary; Education and Labor | Senate – Judiciary Committee Report: H. Rept. 117-12 Committee Print: H.Prt. 117-4
Latest Action: Senate – 06/15/2021 Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.
Press Release: Reps. Roybal-Allard, Velázquez, Clarke Urge Senate to Pass H.R. 6 to Protect Dreamers, TPS/DED Beneficiaries

H.R.3895 — To establish collective bargaining rights for college athletes, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Bowman, Jamaal [D-NY-16] (Introduced 06/15/2021) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/15/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.3897 — To make improvements to the H-2B nonimmigrant worker program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28] (Introduced 06/15/2021) Cosponsors: (5)
Committees: House – Judiciary; Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/15/2021 Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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…

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 – 06/15/2021 Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.

S.2054 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to strengthen Federal-State partnerships in postsecondary education.
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI] (Introduced 06/15/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 06/15/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.2071 — A bill to provide grants to States, territories, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and eligible Tribal entities to promote access to affordable, high-speed broadband and digital equity.
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO] (Introduced 06/15/2021) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Action: Senate – 06/15/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Press Release: Bennet, King, Portman Announce Major Bipartisan Legislation to Bridge Digital Divide

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Comment Request: High School Equivalency Program (HEP) Annual Performance Report.Comments due on or before August 16, 2021.

ED Comment Request: The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) Annual Performance Report (APR). Comments due on or before August 16, 2021.

ED Notice: Early Implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act’s Removal of Requirements for Title IV Eligibility Related to Selective Service Registration and Drug-Related Convictions.

ED Comment Request: Evaluation of Promise Neighborhoods. Comments due on or before August 16, 2021.