RAMC Washington Wrap Up – January 23, 2026

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

CONGRESS

By a 82 to 15 vote, the Senate passed H.R. 6938, which encompasses three appropriations measures providing funding for the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Justice, Energy and Interior as well as Federal water programs, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) through September 30. This funding package includes a provision prohibiting the Administration from applying constraints on indirect cost rates for financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Commerce, NASA and NSF that were not in place prior to the beginning of this Administration.

ADMINISTRATION

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sent termination letters, cancelling thousands of Federal grants that support mental health and substance use services. Later in that same day, SAMHSA reinstated these grants.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced next steps regarding their postsecondary-related Interagency Agreement. These steps include the detail of staff from ED’s Office of Postsecondary Education to DOL and transition of Higher Education Programs grantees to DOL’s grants management and payment systems.

The Administration opened investigations into 15 school districts and 3 colleges regarding the participation of transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports.

COURTS

A district court judge blocked the Administration from implementing a funding freeze that would prevent five States from receiving funds under the Child Care Development Block Grant, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and Social Services Block Grant programs.

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

Congress moves to reject Trump plan to slash Education Department funding [Higher Ed Dive]

Higher Ed Prepares for New Era of Accessibility [Inside Higher Ed]

Federal policy uncertainty is disrupting planning, college leaders say [Higher Ed Dive]
American Council on Education Report: “ACE Survey: Federal Policy Uncertainty Weighs Heavily on Higher Education Leaders”

Parents Embrace Career and Technical Education [Inside Higher Ed]
Britebound Report: “All Options on the Table: Parent Views on Postsecondary
Education and Career Paths”

Education Department pauses wage seizures for unpaid student loans [POLITICO]

Federal Court Orders Reconsideration of Canceled TRIO Grants [Inside Higher Ed]

GOP’s Civics-Education Push Gets Boost With Millions From Trump’s NEH [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

4 Takeaways From Trump’s First Year in Office [Inside Higher Ed]

The SAT has surged in popularity. The ACT is making changes. [The Washington Post]

Education Department announces some personnel shifting to Labor Department with programs [The Hill]

Calling Trump ‘Authoritarian,’ Judge Seeks to Restrict Student Deportations [The New York Times]

More students are going to college. Affordability and workforce training are factors [NPR]

A Bad Year for College Presidents [Inside Higher Ed]

DOJ Report Compounds MSI Advocates’ Worries [Inside Higher Ed]

Education Department launches 18 Title IX transgender athlete investigations [Higher Ed Dive]

Enrollment Ticked Up 1% Last Fall, With Most of the Growth at Community Colleges [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Report: State Lawmakers Enacted a Record 21 Censorship Bills in 2025 [Inside Higher Ed]
PEN America Report: “Expanding the Web of Control: America’s Censored Campuses 2025”

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
Press Release: Chair Cassidy Requests Stakeholder Feedback on Improving Students’ Academic Growth

House Committee on Education and Workforce
Press Release: Chairman Walberg on President Trump’s First Year in Office

January 21: Full Committee Markup: H.R. 7082, H.R. 7086, H.R. 4624
2175 Rayburn and via webcast.
10:15 a.m. EST

Senate Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: Appropriations Committees Release Remaining Funding Bills

House Majority Leader
Press Release: The Leader’s Floor Lookout: Week of January 19, 2026

Press Release: Committee Cliff Notes: Weekly Preview – Week of January 19, 2026

House Committee on Education and Workforce
Press Release: @EdWorkforceCmte to Mark Up Bills to Expand Educational Opportunity and Restore Integrity to Professional Boxing

Senate Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: Committee Releases Conferenced Defense, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bills

House Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: House Appropriations Drives January Momentum, Advances Targeted America First Funding

Press Release: Completing FY26: Committee Releases Conferenced Defense, Homeland, LHHS, and THUD Bills

Press Release: Appropriations Committees Release Three-Bill FY26 Funding Package: Labor, HHS, Education; Defense; Transportation, Housing and Urban Development

Press Release: Appropriations Committees Release Homeland Security Funding Bill

House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
Press Release: Science Democrats Slam Musk for Grok’s Creation of Illicit Images

Senate Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: Congress Approves FY 2026 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Press Release: Chairman Cruz: KOSMA Meets Parents Where They’re At, Protects Kids Online

Press Release: Experts Tell Committee AI Presents Greater Risk to Children than Social Media

Press Release: Cantwell, Klobuchar, Markey Raise Concerns on the Use of AI in Toys

Statements and Webcast from Yesterday’s Full Committee Hearing on “Plugged Out: Examining the Impact of Technology on America’s Youth”

House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Press Release: Pallone, Wyden Demand the Trump Administration Restore Key Measure of Childhood Health and Well-Being

Senate Majority Leader
Press Release: Thune: Republicans Plow Ahead on Confirming the President’s Nominees

Press Release: Republicans Are Safeguarding Taxpayer Money and Vital Programs Over Democrat Objections

Senate Minority Leader
Press Release: At Presser, Leader Schumer Slams President Trump’s Weaponization of the Federal Government and Unveils NOPE Act to Protect Free Speech

House Committee on Education and Workforce
Press Release: Walberg Holds First Hearing in AI Series

Press Release: Hearing Recap: “Building an AI-Ready America”

Press Release: Ranking Member Scott Delivers Opening Statement on the Importance of Congress Putting Guardrails on Artificial Intelligence

Statements and Webcast from Yesterday’s Full Committee Hearing on Building an AI-Ready America.

Senate Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: Senator Murray Statement on Trump Axing Thousands of Grants to Treat and Prevent Addiction, Provide Mental Health Services

House Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: Cole on H.R. 7006: “Safety, Strength, and Freedom. That is Certainly Something We Can All Support.”

Press Release: House Passes H.R. 7006, Strengthening National Security, Protecting Economic Growth, and Restoring Regular Order

Press Release: Cole Floor Remarks on H.R. 7006, Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026

Press Release: Diaz-Balart Remarks on H.R. 7006, Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026

Press Release: DeLauro Statement on HHS Canceling Billions in Addiction and Mental Health Grants

Press Release: DeLauro, Frankel, Hoyer on Passage of Appropriations Minibus Including Financial Services, General Government, and National Security, Department of State

Press Release: DeLauro Statement on HHS Reinstating Billions in Addiction and Mental Health Grants After Abrupt Cancellation

House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
Press Release: Ranking Member Lofgren Opening Statement for Hearing on AI Action Plan

Press Release: Ranking Member Stevens’ Opening Statement for Hearing on AI Action Plan

Statements and Webcast from Yesterday’s Subcommittee Hearing on Advancing America’s AI Action Plan

Department of Education and the Administration

ED Press Release: U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Celebrates President Trump’s Historic First Year

IES Blog: What’s on the Horizon for the 2026 Nation’s Report Card

IES Blog: IES Announces 2025 SBIR Awards to Advance Technology for Education and Special Education

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Delays Involuntary Collections Amid Ongoing Student Loan Repayment Improvements

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Labor Take Next Steps to Implement Postsecondary Education Partnership

ED Press Release: Title IX Special Investigations Team Probes the California Community College Athletic Association for ‘Transgender Participation Policy’

DOL Press Release: ICYMI: Secretary Chavez-DeRemer meets with apprentices, construction workers during 4-state ‘America at Work’ swing

White House Press Release: Congressional Bill S. 222 Signed into Law

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Initiates 18 Title IX Investigations

GAO Report: Combating Fraud: Approaches to Evaluate Effectiveness and Demonstrate Integrity

Legislative Movement in Congress

H.R.6359 — Pregnant Students’ Rights Act
Sponsor: Hinson, Ashley [Rep.-R-IA-2] (Introduced 12/02/2025) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Education and Workforce
Committee Report: H. Rept. 119-447
Latest Action: House – 01/20/2026 Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1009 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6945, H.R. 6359 and H.J. Res. 140. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 6945, H.R. 6359, and H.J. Res. 140.

H.R.7147 — Making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Cole, Tom [Rep.-R-OK-4] (Introduced 01/20/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Appropriations; Budget
Latest Action: House – 01/20/2026 Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, 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.

H.R.7148 — Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026
Sponsor: Cole, Tom [Rep.-R-OK-4] (Introduced 01/20/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Appropriations; Budget; Ways and Means
Latest Action: House – 01/20/2026 Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committees on the Budget, and 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.

H.R.7151 — To require the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a public awareness and education campaign to provide information regarding the benefits of, risks relating to, and the prevalence of artificial intelligence in the daily lives of individuals in the United States, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Barragán, Nanette Diaz [Rep.-D-CA-44] (Introduced 01/20/2026) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
Latest Action: House – 01/20/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

H.R.7152 — To provide technical assistance and grants for faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, and local governments to increase the supply of affordable rental housing, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Barragán, Nanette Diaz [Rep.-D-CA-44] (Introduced 01/20/2026) Cosponsors: (7)
Committees: House – Financial Services
Latest Action: House – 01/20/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

H.R.7157 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross income up to the first $50,000 wages from employment as a K-12 public school teacher.
Sponsor: Fields, Cleo [Rep.-D-LA-6] (Introduced 01/20/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Ways and Means
Latest Action: House – 01/20/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.7158 — To support a broad and diverse interdisciplinary research community for the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-powered innovation through partnerships and capacity building at certain institutions of higher education and other institutions to expand AI capacity in populations historically underrepresented in STEM, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Foushee, Valerie P. [Rep.-D-NC-4] (Introduced 01/20/2026) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology
Latest Action: House – 01/20/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

H.R.1723 — Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2025
Sponsor: Moolenaar, John R. [Rep.-R-MI-2] (Introduced 02/27/2025) Cosponsors: (7)
Committees: House – Education and Workforce
Latest Action: House – 01/16/2026 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 393.

H.R.6938 — Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026
Sponsor: Cole, Tom [Rep.-R-OK-4] (Introduced 01/06/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Appropriations; Budget
Latest Action: Senate – 01/15/2026 Message on Senate action sent to the House.

H.R.7086 — Equitable Access to School Facilities Act
Sponsor: Ciscomani, Juan [Rep.-R-AZ-6] (Introduced 01/15/2026) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Workforce
Latest Action: House – 01/15/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

H.R.7092 — To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require local educational agencies to include mental health and suicide prevention information on student identification cards, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Carter, Troy A. [Rep.-D-LA-2] (Introduced 01/15/2026) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Education and Workforce
Latest Action: House – 01/15/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

H.R.7099 — To increase access to higher education and center-based Head Start programs by providing public transit grants.
Sponsor: Goodlander, Maggie [Rep.-D-NH-2] (Introduced 01/15/2026) Cosponsors: (5)
Committees: House – Transportation and Infrastructure
Latest Action: House – 01/15/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Press Release: Goodlander Introduces Bipartisan PATH to Education Act to Make Education More Accessible for Students and Families

H.R.7115 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish Jumpstart Programs for saving for apprenticeship and trade occupation training, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Moore, Riley M. [Rep.-R-WV-2] (Introduced 01/15/2026) Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: House – Ways and Means
Latest Action: House – 01/15/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Press Release: Congressman Riley M. Moore Introduces Jumpstart Savings Act to Strengthen America’s Skilled Workforce

H.R.7117 — To increase rates of college completion and reduce college costs by accelerating time to degree, aligning secondary and postsecondary education, and improving postsecondary credit transfer.
Sponsor: Olszewski, Johnny [Rep.-D-MD-2] (Introduced 01/15/2026) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Workforce
Latest Action: House – 01/15/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Press Release: Olszewski, Moylan Introduce Bipartisan Effort to Fast-Track College Completion and Lower Costs

S.3627 — Pregnant Students’ Rights Act
Sponsor: Moody, Ashley [Sen.-R-FL] (Introduced 01/13/2026) Cosponsors: (14)
Latest Action: Senate – 01/15/2026 Cloture motion on the motion to proceed presented in Senate.

S.3661 — A bill to increase access to higher education and center-based Head Start programs by providing public transit grants.
Sponsor: Blunt Rochester, Lisa [Sen.-D-DE] (Introduced 01/15/2026) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Action: Senate – 01/15/2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Press Release: News: Senators Blunt Rochester, McCormick Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Make Education More Accessible for Students and Families

H.R.6359 — Pregnant Students’ Rights Act
Sponsor: Hinson, Ashley [Rep.-R-IA-2] (Introduced 12/02/2025) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Education and Workforce
Latest Action: House – 01/14/2026 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 382.

H.R.7006 — Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026
Sponsor: Cole, Tom [Rep.-R-OK-4] (Introduced 01/12/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Appropriations; Budget
Latest Action: House – 01/14/2026 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

H.R.7063 — To improve student and exchange visitor visa programs.
Sponsor: Gill, Brandon [Rep.-R-TX-26] (Introduced 01/14/2026) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Judiciary; Education and Workforce
Latest Action: House – 01/14/2026 Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, 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: Rep. Gill Bill Restores Integrity in Student Visa Program

H.R.7077 — To amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to require a plan for data collection and analytical capability relating to the skilled technical workforce, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Scholten, Hillary J. [Rep.-D-MI-3] (Introduced 01/14/2026) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology
Latest Action: House – 01/14/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

H.Res.992 — Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7006) making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Foxx, Virginia [Rep.-R-NC-5] (Introduced 01/13/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Rules
Committee Report: H. Rept. 119-445
Latest Action: House – 01/14/2026 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

S.3627 — A bill to require institutions of higher education to disseminate information on the rights of, and accommodations and resources for, pregnant students, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Moody, Ashley [Sen.-R-FL] (Introduced 01/13/2026) Cosponsors: (11)
Latest Action: Senate – 01/14/2026 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 300.
Press Release: Senator Moody Supports Life, Sponsors Pregnant Students’ Rights Act

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices

ACF Comment Request: Annual Report on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Programs and State Maintenance-of-Effort Programs-ACF-204 (Annual TANF and MOE Report). Comments due on or before March 23, 2026.

ED Notice: Withdrawal of Notice of Proposed Rule: Amendments to Definitions and Related Provisions Under the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program.

CNCS Comment Request: Segal Education Award-Related Information Collection Requests. Comments due on or before March 16, 2026.

ED Comment Request: Federal Student Aid (FSA) Feedback System. Comments due on or before February 17, 2026.

HHS Notice: Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines.

VA Comment Request: Edith Nourse STEM Scholarship. Comments due on or before March 16, 2026.

Today’s Federal Register.