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

August 24, 2021

HOUSE AND SENATE
The U.S House of Representatives voted on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget resolution today, Tuesday, August 24, 2021.

ADMINISTRATION
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced changes to streamline the issuance of loan discharges for student loan borrowers with a total and permanent disability. The initial amount of total loan discharge is expected to total more than $5.8 billion.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Ahead of crucial meeting, Pelosi says budget reconciliation must pass first [The Hill]

School mask, vaccine mandates supported in US: AP-NORC poll [The Associated Press]

Most students support vaccine mandates [Inside Higher Ed]
The Generation Lab and Axios Poll & TimelyMD Survey Results: “College Students Support Campus COVID-19 Vaccine and Mask Mandates, New Survey by TimelyMD Finds”

More colleges expected to mandate vaccines following Pfizer FDA approval [Inside Higher Ed]

As college campuses reopen, many faculty worry about covid [The Washington Post]

FDA grants full approval to Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine, opening door to more vaccine mandates [CNN]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
The House is in session today and is expected to complete action on the FY 2022 budget resolution and a voting rights bill prior to adjourning again with a return planned for the week of September 20, 2021. The Senate adjourned for recess after the completion of work on the FY2022 budget resolution and will return the week of September 13, 2021.

Speaker of the House
Press Release: Dear Colleague on Advancing President Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda

Press Release: Pelosi Statement on FDA Full Approval of First Coronavirus Vaccine

Senate Minority Leader
Blog: Will Radical House Democrats Vote For A Budget With These Republican Amendments?

House Education and Labor Committee
Press Release: Chairman Scott Applauds Biden Administration for Delivering Relief to Student Borrowers with Total and Permanent Disabilities

Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis 
Press Release: Clyburn Statement On FDA Approval Of The Pfizer-BioNTech Coronavirus Vaccine

House Committee on Rules
Announcement: Meeting Announcement for Tuesday, August 24, 2021

House Committee on the Budget 
Press Release: Chairman Yarmuth, House Budget Committee Release Report Outlining 2022 Budget Resolution and Reconciliation: How We Will Build Back Better

House Committee on Agriculture  
Press Release: Chairman David Scott and Chair Jahana Hayes Issue Statement on USDA’s Critical Updates to Thrifty Food Plan

Online Events:
October 5-7: NCAN Virtual Conference —“Rebuilding Postsecondary Equity
The NCAN conference is the premier professional development event in the field of postsecondary attainment for students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, and first-generation-to-college students. Join the conference to explore topics such as connecting college and career success, putting data into practice, how to model diversity, equity, and inclusion at you organization/ program, K-12 practice for postsecondary success, organizational leadership and capacity building, embedding equity in policy change and student inclusion.
Speakers: Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises, CEO, Baltimore City Public Schools; Evelyn Garcia Morales, Executive Director, Fulfillment Fund Las Vegas; AiLun Ku, President and CEO, Opportunity Network; Carmen Lopez, Executive Director, College Horizons.
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Register here.

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
White House Press Release: Remarks by President Biden on the COVID-⁠19 Response and the Vaccination Program

White House Statement: Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with House Leadership and Committee Chairs on Build Back Better Agenda

ED Press Release: New Guidance Reaffirms Importance of Full Implementation of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Grants Interest Rate Benefit to More Than 47,000 Service Members.

DOL Press Release: US Department of Labor Announces $90M in Grants to Support Training, Employment Services for Workers Displaced by the Pandemic

IES Blog: The Conference Circuit Reboots + What AI is Leaving Behind

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.5079 — To provide liability protection for elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education during the COVID-19 public health emergency, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Murphy, Gregory [R-NC-3] (Introduced 08/23/2021) Cosponsors: (12)
Committees: House – Judiciary
Latest Action: House – 08/23/2021 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Press Release: Murphy Reintroduces Open Schools Responsibly Act

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
CNCS Comment Request: AmeriCorps Diversity Questionnaire. Comments due on or before September 23, 2021.

ED Comment Request: Federal Perkins/NDSL Loan Assignment Form. Comments due on or before September 23, 2021.

ED Comment Request: The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) Annual Performance Report (APR). Comments due on or before September 20, 2021.

HHS Grant Notice: Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Institutionally-Focused Research Education Award to Promote Diversity. Applications due on November 15, 2023.