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

June 29, 2021

HOUSE and SENATE
Several news outlets have reported that Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is holding up the nomination of James Kvaal to be Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education (ED).

ED Secretary Cardona testified before the House Education and Labor Committee on the policies and priorities of the agency.

ADMINISTRATION
ED projected, as part of the unified regulatory agenda, that a notice of proposed rulemaking on Title IX would be published in May 2022.

ED conducted three days of virtual hearings to receive comment on the agency’s recent notice stating it will conduct negotiated rulemaking on 14 potential higher education related topics and asking for other topics upon which ED should regulate.

ED announced that the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) will meet virtually from July 27-29.

SUPREME COURT

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) issued a ruling in National Collegiate Athletic Association v. Shayne Alston unanimously determining that the NCAA cannot bar its member institutions from providing compensation for education-related benefits to student athletes.

SCOTUS ruled in Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. that the school district violated the free speech rights of a student who used social media to express a complaint referencing school programs, but that public schools may regulate some student speech that occurs off campus.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Addressing Basic Needs Insecurity Through the BASIC Act [Inside Higher Ed]

Student perception of higher ed’s value falls again, survey finds [Higher Ed Dive]

FSA Changes Course on Streamlined Loan Servicing [Inside Higher Ed]

Colleges freezing tuition for the next academic year [Inside Higher Ed]

Budget deal invests in financial aid, enrollment growth at California’s colleges and universities [EdSource]

What a Bipartisan Infrastructure Agreement Between Biden, Senators Would Mean for Schools[Education Week]

Cardona pitches higher ed priorities during House grilling [Higher Ed Dive]

How community colleges can better prepare adult workers [EdSource]

Democrats urge Biden to extend moratorium on student loan payments [The Hill]

Some two-year colleges report summer enrollment up [Inside Higher Ed]

Report Suggests Gaps in Support for At-Risk Students [Inside Higher Ed]

Opinion: College graduates lack preparation in the skill most valued by employers—collaboration [The Hechinger Report]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
Senate Majority Leader
Press Release: Schumer, Warren, Pressley, Courtney Lead Bicameral Letter Calling On Biden To Extend Pause On Student Loan Payments

House Education and Labor Committee
Documents and webcast of last week’s Full Committee Hearing: “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the U.S. Department of Education”

Press Release: Chairman Scott Opening Statement at Hearing with Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona

Press Release: Chairman Scott Praises Final Passage of Bicameral Resolution to Restore Workplace Civil Rights Protections
Press Release: Chairman Scott Urges Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Older Workers Against Discrimination

Press Release: Foxx: “The Department of Education is incompetent”

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Press Release: Murray, Colleagues Unveil Key Legislation from President Biden’s American Jobs Plan to Make Historic Investment in Care Economy

House Ways & Means Committee 
June 29: Subcommittee Hearing: “Expanding Access To Higher Education And The Promise It Holds”
Witnesses: Dr. Marshall Anthony Jr., Senior Policy Analyst, Center for American Progress; Dr. Susan Whealler Johnston, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Association of College and University Business Officers; Dr. Steven M. Rose, President, Passaic County Community College; Dr. Susan M. Dynarski, Professor of Public Policy, Education, and Economics, University of Michigan; Mr. Scott Pulsipher, President, Western Governors University
2:00 p.m. via Cisco Webex

House Committee on Small Business
June 30: Subcommittee Hearing: “Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!”
Witnesses: Mr. John R. Dearie, President, Center for American Entrepreneurship, Great Falls, VA; Dr. J.D. LaRock, President and Chief Executive Officer, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, New York, NY ; Ms. Denyse Airheart, Business Pathways Director, Mi Casa Resource Center, Denver, CO; Mr. Craig Etkin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Intelligence360, Sugar Land, TX
10:00 a.m. in 2360 Rayburn House Office Building or Zoom

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
White House Press Release: Statement by President Joe Biden on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework

White House Press Release: Executive Order on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce

White House Press Release: Statement by President Joe Biden on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework

White House Press Release: Remarks by President Biden After Meeting with a Bipartisan Group of Senators on Infrastructure Negotiations

White House Press Release: Fact Sheet: President Biden Announces Support for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework

White House Press Release: Statement by President Joe Biden on the For the People Act

White House Press Release: Statement by Vice President Kamala Harris on the For the People Act

ED Press Release: Statement by Miguel Cardona Secretary of Education on the Policies and Priorities of the U.S. Department of Education

ED Press Release: Secretary Cardona: Title IX the ‘Strongest Tool’ in Protecting Educational Opportunities Free from Sex Discrimination

ED Press Release: ICYMI: Department of Education Prioritizes Advancing Equity in First Installment of Equity Summit Series

ED Speech: Oral Statement by Miguel Cardona Secretary of Education on the Policies and Priorities of the U.S. Department of Education

ED Speech: Secretary Cardona’s Remarks at the Department of Education’s Equity Summit

ED Blog: FCC Announces the $7.17 Billion Emergency Connectivity Fund to Help Schools Close the Homework Gap

DOL Press Release: U.S. Department of Labor Announces Availability of more than $21 Million in Grants for Training on Workplace Hazards, Infectious Diseases

IES Announcement: IES Announces New FY 2021 Education Research and Development Center Grant

IES Grant Announcement: “Innovations in Technology-Enabled Instruction for Student Success and Equity (InTISE) Center”

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.1500 — Global Learning Loss Assessment Act of 2021
Sponsor: Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6] (Introduced 03/02/2021) Cosponsors: (15)
Committees: House – Foreign Affairs
Latest Action: House – 06/28/2021 At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

H.R.2225 — National Science Foundation for the Future Act
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Eddie Bernice [D-TX-30] (Introduced 03/26/2021) Cosponsors: (50)
Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology
Latest Action: House – 06/28/2021 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Press Release: Johnson, Lucas Celebrate Passage of Legislation to Fund American Science and Innovation at NSF and DOE

H.R.4198 — To establish the Mental Health in Schools Excellence Program to increase the recruitment and retention of school-based mental health services providers, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1] (Introduced 06/28/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/28/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Fitzpatrick, Gottheimer Introduce Legislation to Improve Student Health and Safety

H.R.4179 — To direct the Secretary of Labor, in coordination with other agencies, to conduct a study on the factors affecting the employment opportunities in the United States of immigrants and refugees who have professional credentials obtained in foreign countries, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Katko, John [R-NY-24] (Introduced 06/25/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/25/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.2062 – Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act of 2021
Sponsor: Rep. Scott, Robert C. “Bobby” [D-VA-3] (Introduced 03/18/2021)
Committees: House – Education and Labor | Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Committee Meetings: 05/26/21 12:00PM
Committee Reports: H. Rept. 117-63
Latest Action: Senate – 06/24/2021 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Roll Call Votes: There have been 3 roll call votes

H.R.4122 – To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for interest-free deferment on student loans for borrowers serving in a medical or dental internship or residency program.
Sponsor: Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36] (Introduced 06/24/2021)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/24/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Babin, Houlahan Ease Heavy Burden on America’s Health Care Providers

H.R.4145 – To establish a matched savings program for low-income students.
Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3] (Introduced 06/24/2021)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/24/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Rep. Susie Lee, Rep. David Schweikert Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Reduce Student Loan Debt, Make College More Affordable

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)
Committees: Senate – Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Committee Meetings: 06/24/21 10:00AM 06/15/21 10:00AM
Latest Action: Senate – 06/24/2021 Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
S.1860 – Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act of 2021
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] (Introduced 05/26/2021)
Committees: Senate – Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Committee Meetings: 06/24/21 10:00AM
Latest Action: Senate – 06/24/2021 Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.

S.2217 – A bill to increase the participation of historically underrepresented demographic groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and industry.
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI] (Introduced 06/24/2021)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 06/24/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.2224 – A bill to direct the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to carry out programs and activities to ensure that Federal science agencies and institutions of higher education receiving Federal research and development funding are fully engaging their entire talent pool, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI] (Introduced 06/24/2021)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 06/24/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.2227 – A bill to direct the Secretary of Labor to enter into contracts with industry intermediaries for purposes of promoting the development of and access to apprenticeships in the technology sector, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM] (Introduced 06/24/2021)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 06/24/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.2237 – A bill to direct the Secretary of Education to establish and carry out two grant programs to make grants to eligible institutions to plan and implement programs that provide comprehensive support services and resources designed to increase graduation rates and transfer rates to 4-year institutions at community colleges, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (Introduced 06/24/2021)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 06/24/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.2244 – A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for teacher and school leader quality enhancement and to enhance institutional aid.
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA] (Introduced 06/24/2021)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 06/24/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Kaine & Collins Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Nationwide Teacher and Principal Shortages

S.2301 – A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide capacity-building assistance to institutions of higher education to examine and address inequities in college student access and success, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (Introduced 06/24/2021)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 06/24/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

H.R.704 — ARTS Act
Sponsor: Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8] (Introduced 02/02/2021) Cosponsors: (6)
Committees: House – Judiciary
Latest Action: House – 06/23/2021 Pursuant to section 11 of H. Res. 486, and the motion offered by Mr. McGovern, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 482; H.R. 704; H.R. 961, as amended; H.R. 1314; H.R. 2571, as amended; H.R. 2679, as amended; H.R. 2694; H.R. 2922, as…

H.R.2062 — Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act of 2021
Sponsor: Rep. Scott, Robert C. “Bobby” [D-VA-3] (Introduced 03/18/2021) Cosponsors: (112)
Committees: House – Education and Labor Committee Report: H. Rept. 117-63
Latest Action: House – 06/23/2021 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

H.R.4076 — To amend the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to give the Department of Education the authority to award competitive grants to eligible entities to establish, expand, or support school-based mentoring programs to assist at-risk students in middle school and high school in developing cognitive and social-emotional skills to prepare them for success in high school, postsecondary education, and the workforce.
Sponsor: Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] (Introduced 06/23/2021) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/23/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.4090 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make college affordable and accessible.
Sponsor: Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-10] (Introduced 06/23/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/23/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.4095 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude certain post-graduation scholarship grants from gross income in the same manner as qualified scholarships to promote economic growth.
Sponsor: Rep. LaHood, Darin [R-IL-18] (Introduced 06/23/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Ways and Means
Latest Action: House – 06/23/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Press Release: LaHood, Sewell, Capito, Peters Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Post-Graduation Scholarships

H.R.4097 — To support educational entities in fully implementing title IX and reducing and preventing sex discrimination in all areas of education, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-6] (Introduced 06/23/2021) Cosponsors: (7)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/23/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Matsui, Hirono Reintroduce Bicameral Bill To Boost Gender Equity In Education, Support Title IX

H.R.4106 — To amend the Stop Student Debt Relief Scams Act of 2019 to make technical corrections.
Sponsor: Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11] (Introduced 06/23/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 06/23/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

S.2186 — A bill to support educational entities in fully implementing title IX and reducing and preventing sex discrimination in all areas of education, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI] (Introduced 06/23/2021) Cosponsors: (10)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 06/23/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Hirono, Matsui Reintroduce Bicameral Bill to Boost Gender Equity in Education, Support Title IX

S.2191 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude certain post-graduation scholarship grants from gross income in the same manner as qualified scholarships to promote economic growth.
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI] (Introduced 06/23/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Finance
Latest Action: Senate – 06/23/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Press Release: Peters Announces Reintroduction of Bipartisan Bill to Alleviate Student Loan Debt and Help Communities Fill Worker Shortages

S.2192 — A bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to require that supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits be calculated using the value of the low-cost food plan, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY] (Introduced 06/23/2021) Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: Senate – Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Latest Action: Senate – 06/23/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

S.2198 — A bill to amend the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to give the Department of Education the authority to award competitive grants to eligible entities to establish, expand, or support school-based mentoring programs to assist at-risk students in middle school and high school in developing cognitive and social-emotional skills to prepare them for success in high school, postsecondary education, and the workforce.
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] (Introduced 06/23/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 06/23/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Durbin, Duckworth, Schakowsky, Garcia, Trahan Introduce Mentoring To Succeed Act

H.R.2062 — Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act of 2021
Sponsor: Rep. Scott, Robert C. “Bobby” [D-VA-3] (Introduced 03/18/2021) Cosponsors: (112)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Committee Report: H. Rept. 117-63
Latest Action: House – 06/22/2021 Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 486 Reported to House. The resolution provides that House Resolution 485 is hereby adopted.

H.R.4034 — To ensure that pre-apprenticeship programs are considered when planning health professions opportunity grant career pathway demonstration projects.
Sponsor: Rep. Beyer, Donald S., Jr. [D-VA-8] (Introduced 06/22/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Ways and Means
Latest Action: House – 06/22/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Notice of Meeting: National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. Meeting will be held on July 27-29, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern each day.

DOL Grant Notice: CAREER (Comprehensive and Accessible Reemployment through Equitable Employment Recovery) National Dislocated Worker Grants. Applications due on or before 4:00 p.m. Eastern on August 31, 2021.

ED Comment Request: Federal Student Loan Program Deferment Request Forms. Comments due before or by July 26, 2021.

ED Comment Request: National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2022 Materials Update #1. Comments due on or before July 26, 2021.

ED Comment Request: Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Match Waiver Request Form. Comments due on or before July 26, 2021.

ED Notice: 2021-2022 Award Year Deadline Dates for Reports and Other Records Associated With the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG) Program, the Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program, the Federal Pell Grant (Pell Grant) Program, the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program, the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program, and the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant Program. Deadline and Submission Dates: See Tables A and B at the end of the notice.