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

May 7, 2025

CONGRESS

The House Education and Workforce Committee passed its reconciliation bill by a 21 to 14 vote.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee held a markup of S.558, the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025, and S.163, the Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2025. Final votes on both bills were postponed.

ADMINISTRATION

The Office of Management and Budget released its fiscal year 2026 discretionary spending recommendations.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) held a public hearing to receive feedback on its announcement of its intent to establish one or more negotiated rulemaking committees to prepare proposed regulations on various programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

ED announced initial actions to comply with Executive Order 14279, the Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education. These include issuing a Dear Colleague Letter, informing institutions of higher education that they will no longer have to go through a “lengthy process” before changing an accreditor; removing the Biden Administration’s moratorium on accepting and reviewing applications for initial recognition of potential new accreditors; and notifying one applicant that its petition is no longer paused and will be reviewed.

The U.S. Department of Labor issued guidance on how to determine employee or independent contractor status when enforcing the Fair Labor Standards Act.

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

3 College Presidents Are Testifying Before Congress Again. They’re Not the Ones You’d Expect. [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

College students — and those not enrolled — see the value in higher education [Higher Ed Dive]

More states are allowing community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees [NPR]

Education Dept. Tells Colleges to Advise Struggling Borrowers [Inside Higher Ed]

Risk-sharing: A ‘well-intentioned’ disaster for colleges? [Higher Ed Dive]

Documenting Trump’s ‘Arbitrary’ Cuts to Science [Inside Higher Ed]

Trump administration calls for a freeze on all new grants to Harvard [The Washington Post]

Trump’s FY26 budget plan slashes Education Department programs [Higher Ed Dive]

A new era for student loans begins with garnished wages on the table [The Hill]

Trump Scrutinizes Foreign Gifts, Raising the Stakes for Colleges [Inside Higher Ed]

The U.S. welcomed Indian students. Under Trump, they fear for their future. [The Washington Post]

Education Dept. Moves to Make It Easier for Colleges to Switch Accreditors [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

College Access Groups Scramble After AmeriCorps Cuts [Inside Higher Ed]

As Trump attacks higher education, some students avoid U.S. colleges [The Washington Post]

ICE Expands Student Deportation Powers [Inside Higher Ed]

Senate education panel postpones vote on polarizing antisemitism definition [Higher Ed Dive]

How ICE Targeted International Students [Inside Higher Ed]

Class of 2025 may face tight competition for fewer jobs [Higher Ed Dive]

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

Senate Minority Leader

Press Release: As Trump Administration Cruelly And Unjustly Weaponizes Harvard’s Nonprofit Status, Leader Schumer, Senate Democrats Demand Treasury IG Investigate IRS And Administration’s Potential Criminal Activity Against Harvard

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

Press Release: News: Sanders, Murray, Baldwin, 39 Colleagues Blast Trump’s Attacks on Head Start, Demand RFK Jr. Immediately Release Funding and Reverse Firings

Statements and Webcast from the April 30 Full Committee Executive Session on S. 588 and S. 163

House Committee on Education and Workforce

Press Release: Chairman Walberg Talks Antisemitism

Blog: ICYMI: The End of the Free College Lunch

Press Release: Mackenzie Holds Hearing on FECA Reform and Oversight

Press Release: Walberg, McClain, Fine to Hold Press Conference on Antisemitism Ahead of House Education and Workforce Hearing

Press Release: Chairman Walberg Statement on April Jobs Report

Press Release: Chair Walberg’s Statement on Trump Budget

Press Release: Ranking Member Scott Statement on April Jobs Report

Press Release: Ranking Member Scott Statement on President Trump’s FY 2026 Proposed Budget

Press Release: Reminder: College Presidents to Answer for Mishandling of Antisemitic, Violent Protests — May 7th at 10:15 A.M.

Press Release: Committee Democrats Blast Republicans for Changing Rules and Refusing to Hold Trump Accountable for Closing Office that Supports Seniors and Americans with Disabilities

Blog: Trump is Making Apprenticeships Great Again

May 7: Full Committee Hearing on “Beyond the Ivy League: Stopping the Spread of Antisemitism on American Campuses”

Witnesses: Dr. Jeffrey Armstrong, President, California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo); Dr. Wendy Raymond, President, Haverford College; Dr. Robert Manuel, President, DePaul University

2175 Rayburn

10:15 a.m. ET

House Committee on the Budget

Press Release: Boyle Files Discharge Petition to Prevent Cuts to Medicaid and Food Assistance

Press Release: Grassroots Groups Back Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act as Boyle Moves to Force Floor Vote

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration

White House Press Release: Jobs Boom: More Americans Working for Higher Pay

White House Press Release: The President’s FY 2026 Discretionary Budget Request

White House Press Release: The White House Office of Management and Budget Releases the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Skinny Budget

White House Press Release: WEEK 15 WINS: President Trump’s 100th Day Marked by More Success

ED Press Release: ED, HHS, and GSA Initiate Review of Anti-Semitic Activity at the University of Washington

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Reminds Colleges and Universities of Their Obligations to Help Struggling Borrowers

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Expands Accreditation Options for Colleges and Universities

ED Press Release: Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Statement on President Trump’s FY 2026 Skinny Budget

DOL Press Release: US Department of Labor celebrates National Apprenticeship Day 2025, highlighting limitless potential of apprenticeships for American workers

DOL Press Release: Secretary Chavez-DeRemer Statement on April Jobs Report

DOL Press Release: Secretary Chavez-DeRemer Lauds President Trump’s America First Budget Proposal

DOL Press Release: Secretary Chavez-Deremer Talks Skilled Construction Jobs, Workforce Shortages During America At Work Visit In Tucson

Legislative Movement in Congress:

H.R.3089 — To direct the Secretary of Labor to carry out a grant program to award grants to States to carry out a paid family leave program, to establish the Interstate Paid Leave Action Network, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Bice, Stephanie I. [Rep.-R-OK-5] (Introduced 04/30/2025) Cosponsors: (7)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce; Ways and Means; Armed Services; Oversight and Government Reform; House Administration; Judiciary

Latest Action: House – 04/30/2025 Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Armed Services, Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker.

H.R.3117 — To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, to expand the replacement of stolen EBT benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

Sponsor: Meng, Grace [Rep.-D-NY-6] (Introduced 04/30/2025) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: House – Agriculture

Latest Action: House – 04/30/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

S.163 — Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2025

Sponsor: Cassidy, Bill [Sen.-R-LA] (Introduced 01/21/2025) Cosponsors: (4)

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

Latest Action: Senate – 04/30/2025 Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Committee consideration and Mark Up Session held.

H.R.3131 — To amend and reauthorize the Community Services Block Grant Act.

Sponsor: Thompson, Glenn [Rep.-R-PA-15] (Introduced 05/01/2025) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 05/01/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Press Release: Thompson, Bonamici Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Community Services Block Grant Program

H.R.3146 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include service as a volunteer firefighter or volunteer emergency medical technician as a public service job for purposes of eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Goldman, Daniel S. [Rep.-D-NY-10] (Introduced 05/01/2025) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 05/01/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

H.R.3153 — To require a standard financial aid offer form, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Kim, Young [Rep.-R-CA-40] (Introduced 05/01/2025) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 05/01/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

H.R.3155 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to enhance the employer-provided child care credit.

Sponsor: Kustoff, David [Rep.-R-TN-8] (Introduced 05/01/2025) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: House – Ways and Means

Latest Action: House – 05/01/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Press Release: Congressman Kustoff Introduces Bill to Expand Childcare Options for Families

H.R.3156 — To reauthorize and reform the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: LaHood, Darin [Rep.-R-IL-16] (Introduced 05/01/2025) Cosponsors: (0)

Committees: House – Ways and Means

Latest Action: House – 05/01/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.3165 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to eliminate origination fees on Federal Direct loans.

Sponsor: Smucker, Lloyd [Rep.-R-PA-11] (Introduced 05/01/2025) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 05/01/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Press Release: Smucker, Davids Introduce Student Loan Tax Elimination Act

S.558 — Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025

Sponsor: Scott, Tim [Sen.-R-SC] (Introduced 02/13/2025) Cosponsors: (41)

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

Latest Action: Senate – 04/30/2025 Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Committee consideration and Mark Up Session held.

S.1540 — A bill to amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, to expand the replacement of stolen EBT benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

Sponsor: Fetterman, John [Sen.-D-PA] (Introduced 04/30/2025) Cosponsors: (5)

Committees: Senate – Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

Latest Action: Senate – 04/30/2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Press Release: Fetterman, Meng, Lawler Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Return Stolen SNAP Benefits

S.1557 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make technical improvements to the Net Price Calculator system so that prospective students may have a more accurate understanding of the true cost of college.

Sponsor: Grassley, Chuck [Sen.-R-IA] (Introduced 05/01/2025) Cosponsors: (1)

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

Latest Action: Senate – 05/01/2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Press Release: Grassley, Smith Reintroduce Bipartisan Bills to Help Students Navigate College Costs

S.1558 — A bill to require a standard financial aid offer form, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Grassley, Chuck [Sen.-R-IA] (Introduced 05/01/2025) Cosponsors: (3)

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

Latest Action: 05/01/2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1559 —A bill to revise counseling requirements for certain borrowers of student loans, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Grassley, Chuck [Sen.-R-IA] (Introduced 05/01/2025) Cosponsors: (1)

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

Latest Action: Senate – 05/01/2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.1569 — A bill to modify the criteria for recognition of accrediting agencies or associations for institutions of higher education.

Sponsor: Banks, Jim [Sen.-R-IN] (Introduced 05/01/2025) Cosponsors: (0)

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

Latest Action: Senate – 05/01/2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.Res.202 — A resolution recognizing the significance of “Community College Month” in April 2025 as a celebration of the more than 1,000 community colleges throughout the United States that support access to higher education, workforce training, and more, and broadly sustain and advance the economic prosperity of the United States.

Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA] (Introduced 05/05/2025) Cosponsors: (16)

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

Latest Action: Senate – 05/05/2025 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:

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

ACF Comment Request: Child Care and Development Fund Quarterly Case-Level Report. Comments due on or before May 29, 2025.

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

ED Request for Nominations: National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality, and Integrity. Nominations due on or before June 6, 2025.

ACF Comment Request: Head Start Program Information Report. Comments due on or before July 7, 2025.

ED Comment Request: Streamlined Clearance Process for Discretionary Grants. Comments due on or before July 7, 2025.

ED Grant Notice: Applications for New Awards; Opportunity Scholarship Program. Applications due on or before July 7, 2025.

ED Comment Request: Income Driven Repayment Plan Request for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans and Federal Family Education Loan Programs. Comments due on or before June 9, 2025.

ED Comment Request: Perkins Career and Technical Education Act State Plan Guide. Comments are due on or before June 9, 2025.

ED Comment Request: Consolidated Annual Report (CAR) for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006. Comments are due on or before June 9, 2025.

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

ACF Comment Request: Formative Data Collections for ACF Program Support.  Comments due on or before June  27, 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.

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

ED Notice: Withdrawal of Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) and Cancellation of the Competition for the Native American Career and Technical Education Program (NACTEP).

ED Notice: Withdrawal of Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) and Cancellation of the Competition for the Native Hawaiian Career and Technical Education Program (NHCTEP).

ED Notice: Opportunity Scholarship Program; Corrections

Food and Nutrition Service Notice: Federal-State Supplemental Nutrition Programs Agreement (Form FNS-339)