Below is RAMC’s weekly Washington Wrap Up from Wednesday. Find out more about Wrap Up and other RAMC resources here.

April 2, 2025

CONGRESS

The House passed H.R. 1048, the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions Act (DETERRENT Act), by a 241 to 169 vote.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) and Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought expressing their concern regarding President Trump’s decision and authority to allocate only a portion of the emergency funding designations included in the recent fiscal year 2025 continuing resolution.

The nomination of Education and the Workforce Committee Member Elise Stefanik (R-NY) to be U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations was withdrawn by the White House.

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA) sent letters to organizations, Federal agencies and several institutions of higher education regarding pro-Palestinian college protests last year.ADMINISTRATION

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced its plans for an agency-wide reorganization, which includes a reduction in workforce by 43 percent.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. General Services Administration released a statement expressing support for Columbia University’s compliance with the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism’s preconditions for formal negotiations to restore canceled Federal grants and contracts.

ED’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) reopened the online income-driven repayment (IDR) plan and loan consolidation applications for borrowers.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. State Department has revoked more than 300 student visas.

COURTS

The Trump Administration filed an emergency application to the U.S. Supreme Court requesting a stay of the district court order that required the government to immediately reinstate Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) and Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) grants that had been terminated.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]

McMahon meeting with House Democrats over Education Department layoffs [The Hill]

How Researchers Could Get Their Canceled NIH Grants Back [Inside Higher Education]

Head Start is turning 60. The federal child care program may not make it to 61  [The Hechinger Report]

Mark Schneider: Blowing Up Ed Research is Easy. Rebuilding it is ‘What Matters’ [The 74]

Trump’s Threat to Cut Federal Funding to Harvard, by the Numbers [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Harvard says it will work with federal antisemitism task force amid threat of funding loss [The Hill]

Tribal Colleges Fear for Their Federal Funding [Inside Higher Ed]

6 things borrowers should know about federal student loans right now [NPR]

Ohio and Kentucky enact laws banning DEI at public colleges [Higher Ed Dive]

Trump education moves: Where the legal challenges stand [The Hill]

Trump wants to move student loans to SBA. Republicans aren’t so sure. [Politico]

How Federal Law Could Hinder Trump’s Plans to Dismantle the Education Dept. [Inside Higher Ed]

Education Department halts final payouts of federal pandemic relief funds [Politico]

Democratic senators call for probe of Trump Education Department cuts [K-12 Dive]

Senate Republicans Put Colleges ‘On Notice’ Over Campus Antisemitism [Inside Higher Ed]

Rubio says at least 300 foreign students’ visas have been revoked [The Hill]

ACE: Student outcomes at MSIs improve with full funding [Higher Ed Dive]

University of Michigan to Scuttle Its Flagship D.E.I. Program [The New York Times]

Education Department restores IDR student loan applications [The Hill]

University of Pennsylvania ordered to stop work on $175M in federal contracts [Higher Ed Dive]

Fulbrighters in Flux [Inside Higher Ed]

This Time, Higher Ed’s Resistance to Trump is Being Led by Its Associations [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Trump administration goes to Supreme Court to block teacher preparation grants [The Hill]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:

Senate Minority Leader

Press Release: Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On Donald Trump And Elon Musk Slashing Essential Workers And Vital Programs

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

Press Release: Chair Cassidy Launches HELP Investigation into Organization with Alleged Ties to Hamas, Antisemitic Violence on College Campuses

Press Release: Chair Cassidy Delivers Remarks During Hearing to Address Antisemitism on College Campuses

Press Release: Sanders Statement on Trump’s Firing of 10,000 HHS Workers

Statements and Webcast from the March 27 Full Committee Hearing on “Antisemitic Disruptions on Campus: Ensuring Safe Learning Environments for All Students”

Senate Committee on Appropriations

Press Release: Senators Collins, Murray Challenge the Administration’s Treatment of Emergency Spending in Continuing Resolution

Press Release: Senator Murray Slams Trump Continuing to Block Funding for America, Defying Spending Laws

Senate Committee on the Budget

Press Release: Merkley and Boyle Call for GAO Investigation into Trump Administration’s Funding Freezes

House Minority Leader

Press Release: LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON ICE ARRESTS

House Committee on Education and Workforce

Press Release: What They’re Saying: the DETERRENT Act

Press Release: Chairman Walberg Statement on Columbia President Stepping Down

Press Release: Walberg, Owens Demand Answers from Five Colleges Following Their Lackluster Response to Antisemitism

Press Release: Chair Walberg Statement on House Passage of DETERRENT Act

Press Release: Ranking Member Scott’s Statement on Trump and RFK Jr. Plans to Eliminate Agencies and Cut Thousands of HHS Workers

Press Release: Top Democrats Urge EEOC to Immediately Reverse Field Office Closures

Press Release: Scott, Nadler, Murray, Stansbury and Leger Fernández Condemn Unlawful Dismissal of EEOC Commissioners, Demand Immediate Reinstatement

House Committee on the Budget

Press Release: Boyle and Merkley Call for GAO Investigation into Trump Administration’s Funding Freezes

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Issues Final Warning Letter to Maine on Title IX Compliance

ED Press Release: ED, HHS, and GSA Initiate Federal Contract and Grant Review of Harvard University

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Directs Schools to Comply with Parental Rights Laws

ED Press Release: Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism’s Statement Regarding Columbia University’s Steps to Advance Negotiations

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Opens Revised Income-Driven Repayment Plan and Loan Consolidation Applications for Borrowers

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Launches Investigation into California Department of Education for Alleged FERPA Violations

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Revokes Waivers to California and Oregon Universities Using Federal Funding to Provide Services to Illegal Immigrants

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Launches Investigation into Maine Department of Education for Alleged FERPA Violations

Legislative Movement in Congress:

H.R.1048 — DETERRENT Act

Sponsor: Baumgartner, Michael [Rep.-R-WA-5] (Introduced 02/06/2025) Cosponsors: (21)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce

Committee Report: H. Rept. 119-16

Committee Print: H.Prt. 119-1

Latest Action: House – 03/27/2025 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Press Release: Baumgartner’s DETERRENT Act Passes the House to Combat Foreign Influence in U.S. Colleges

H.R.2367 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit an institution of higher education that employs unauthorized aliens from receiving funds from Federal student assistance or Federal institutional aid and to require institutions of higher education to participate in the E-Verify Program in order to be eligible to participate in any program authorized under title IV of such Act.

Sponsor: Houchin, Erin [Rep.-R-IN-9] (Introduced 03/26/2025) Cosponsors: (0)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce; Judiciary

Latest Action: House – 03/26/2025 Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, 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.

H.R.2380 — To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to authorize the use of individual training accounts for certain youth.

Sponsor: Moran, Nathaniel [Rep.-R-TX-1] (Introduced 03/26/2025) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 03/26/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Press Release: Congressmen Moran, Smucker Reintroduce Building Youth Workforce Skills Act

H.R.2386 — To improve education outcomes by empowering parents, States, and local communities, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Ogles, Andrew [Rep.-R-TN-5] (Introduced 03/26/2025) Cosponsors: (0)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 03/26/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Press Release: Ogles Introduces Bill To Codify Trump Department Of Education Closure

H.R.2446 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit institutions of higher education that authorize antisemitic events on campus from participating in the student loan and grant programs under title IV of such Act.

Sponsor: Lawler, Michael [Rep.-R-NY-17] (Introduced 03/27/2025) Cosponsors: (13)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 03/27/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Press Release: Lawmakers re-introduce bill to pull federal funding from college campuses over antisemitism

H.R.2456 — To terminate the Department of Education, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Moran, Nathaniel [Rep.-R-TX-1] (Introduced 03/27/2025) Cosponsors: (0)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 03/27/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

H.R.2465 — To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to clarify the procedures regarding the eligibility of online providers of training services.

Sponsor: Smucker, Lloyd [Rep.-R-PA-11] (Introduced 03/27/2025) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 03/27/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Press Release: Reps. Smucker and Mackenzie Introduce Bill to Expand Access to Online Workforce Training

H.R.2506 — To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to provide funding, on a competitive basis, for summer and year-round employment opportunities for youth ages 14 through 24.

Sponsor: Kelly, Robin L. [Rep.-D-IL-2] (Introduced 03/31/2025) Cosponsors: (0)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 03/31/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

H.R.2516 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit political litmus tests in accreditation of institutions of higher education, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Owens, Burgess [Rep.-R-UT-4] (Introduced 03/31/2025) Cosponsors: (8)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 03/31/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

H.R.2521 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to protect opportunities for families in the Federal student aid process, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Smith, Christopher H. [Rep.-R-NJ-4] (Introduced 03/31/2025) Cosponsors: (0)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 03/31/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

H.Res.269 — Reaffirming the commitment of the Federal Government to historically Black colleges and universities and honoring their enduring legacy and contributions.

Sponsor: Adams, Alma S. [Rep.-D-NC-12] (Introduced 03/31/2025) Cosponsors: (0)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 03/31/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

H.R.2543 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the exclusion of Pell Grants from gross income, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Doggett, Lloyd [Rep.-D-TX-37] (Introduced 04/01/2025) Cosponsors: (3)

Committees: House – Ways and Means

Latest Action: House – 04/01/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Press Release: Doggett, Davis, Kelly, Feenstra Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Financial Assistance for College

H.R.2555 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for certain freedom of association protections, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Houchin, Erin [Rep.-R-IN-9] (Introduced 04/01/2025) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 04/01/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce

Press Release: Rep. Houchin Introduces Four Bills to Protect Students, Support Families, and Uphold American Values

H.R.2583 — To establish the Office of the Special Inspector General for Unlawful Discrimination in Higher Education within the Department of Education.

Sponsor: Taylor, David [Rep.-R-OH-2] (Introduced 04/01/2025) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 04/01/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

S.1148 — A bill to terminate the Department of Education.

Sponsor: Paul, Rand [Sen.-R-KY] (Introduced 03/26/2025) Cosponsors: (2)

Committees: Senate – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Latest Action: Senate – 03/26/2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

S.1182 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit institutions of higher education that authorize antisemitic events on campus from participating in the student loan and grand programs under title IV of such Act.

Sponsor: Scott, Tim [Sen.-R-SC] (Introduced 03/27/2025) Cosponsors: (5)

Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Latest Action: Senate – 03/27/2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Press Release: Senator Scott’s Antisemitism Awareness Act Praised During Committee Hearing on Antisemitic Disruptions on College Campuses

S.1220 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for a Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment plan as an income contingent repayment plan.

Sponsor: Merkley, Jeff [Sen.-D-OR] (Introduced 04/01/2025) Cosponsors: (14)

Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Latest Action: Senate – 04/01/2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Press Release: Merkley, Kaine Launch Effort to Protect and Strengthen Federal Student Loan Repayment Options

S.1225 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for certain freedom of association protections, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Banks, Jim [Sen.-R-IN] (Introduced 04/01/2025) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Latest Action: Senate – 04/01/2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:

ED Comment Request: 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) Comments due on or before April 7, 2025.

DOL Comment Request: Survey of Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum for the Research Support Services for Employment of Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum (REYAAS) Project. Comments due on or before April 23, 2025.

ACF Comment Request: Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) Automated Function Checklist and Data Quality Plan. Comments due on or before May 23, 2025.

NSF Comment Request: Intent To Seek Approval To Establish an Information Collection. Comments due on or before May 30, 2025.

NSF Grant Noice: Fire Science Innovations through Research and Education. Applications due on or before June 20, 2025.

DOD Grant Notice: Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI). Applications due on or before September 5, 2025.

NSF Grant Notice: Applied Mathematics. Applications due on or before November 17, 2025.

ED Notice: Eligibility Designations and Applications for Waiving Eligibility Requirements; Programs Under Parts A and F of Title III and Programs Under Title V of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as Amended (HEA)

ED Notice: Tests Determined To Be Suitable for Use in the National Reporting System for Adult Education

ED Notice: Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind Program-Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind Training and Technical Assistance; Corrections

ED Notice: Retroactive Application of the Revised Version of the Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance

NIH Notice: National Institute of Mental Health; Notice of Closed Meetings

NSF Grant Notice: Facilitating Research at Predominantly Undergraduate Institutions. Applications accepted anytime.