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

CONGRESS

The House passed and President Trump signed H.R. 7148 into law, which included fiscal year 2026 appropriations for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; Defense; Financial Services and General Government; National Security, U.S. Department of State, and Related Programs; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.

ADMINISTRATION

ED issued guidance to all postsecondary education institutions on their obligations under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regarding student data privacy and the consequences of noncompliance.

U.S. President Donald Trump sent the nomination of Michael McDonald to be Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities for a term of four years to the Senate.

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

‘We’re now seeing the results’: Education Department officials tout FAFSA progress [Higher Ed Dive]

NIH Avoided Funding Cuts. But It Lacks Permanent Leaders in Top Posts. [Inside Higher Ed]

Trump secures legal victory on anti-DEI directives [Higher Ed Dive]

Medical Accreditor Weighs Diluting Health Inequities Curricula [Inside Higher Ed]

Congress, Courts Stymie Trump’s Effort to Cap Research Costs [Inside Higher Ed]

Democrats call on McMahon to explain civil rights complaints backlog [The Hill]

Higher-Ed Groups Dealt a Blow in Court Fight Over Trump’s Anti-DEI Orders [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Defense Department cuts academic ties with Harvard [Higher Ed Dive]

Students Push Back Against Immigration Agencies Recruiting on Campus [Inside Higher Ed]

Hegseth says Pentagon cutting academic partnership with ‘woke’ Harvard [The Hill]

Lawsuit alleges Cornell ‘brazenly’ refused to consider White candidates for faculty job [Higher Ed Dive]

More colleges are offering free tuition. Explore our database. [The Washington Post]

Funding cuts, shifts in aid could make college harder to afford for low-income families [The Hechinger Report]

New Education Department guidance allows teachers to pray with students [K-12 Dive]

The Federal Choice Program Is Here. Will It Help Public School Students, Too? [Education Week]

Schools race to meet web accessibility deadlines [K-12 Dive]

NYC 3-K and Pre-K Applications: 50,000 Families Apply in 2 Weeks [The 74]

How Higher Ed Staved Off a Research-Funding Bloodbath — For Now [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Partial Government Shutdown Ends [Inside Higher Ed]

FAFSA completions for class of 2026 outpacing last year’s [Higher Ed Dive]

Kindergarten readiness varies widely by income, new data shows. Cities are stepping in to help [The Hechinger Report]

Report: Growth in State Higher Ed Funding Is Slowing Down [Inside Higher Ed]
State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO) Report: Grapevine Fiscal Year 2026

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor

House Committee on Education and Workforce
Press Release: Mackenzie to Hold Hearing on Building Safer Workplaces Through Smarter Technology — Tomorrow 10:15 AM

February 12: Subcommittee Hearing on “Building an AI-Ready America: Safer Workplaces Through Smarter Technology”
Witnesses: Mr. Johan Land, Senior Vice President, Product and Engineering, Safety and AI, Samsara; Mr. Eric Hoplin, President and CEO, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors; Mr. Doug Parker, Senior Advisor, National Employment Law Project; and Mr. Jeff Buczkiewicz, President and CEO, Mason Contractors Association of America.
2175 Rayburn and via webcast.
10:15 a.m. ET

February 13: Field Hearing on “Work, Dignity, and Choice in Disability Employment”
Witnesses to be announced.
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin and via webcast.
10:15 a.m. EST

Senate Committee on Appropriations
Statements and Webcast from Yesterday’s Subcommittee Hearing on “A Review of Broadband Deployment Funding at the Department of Commerce”

House Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: Evidence-Driven Policy: Appropriators Review Student Literacy Outcomes

Press Release: Aderholt Remarks at Hearing on the Science of Reading

Statements and Webcast from Yesterday’s Subcommittee Hearing on “The Science of Reading”

House Committee on the Budget
Press Release: Boyle Statement on January 2026 Jobs Report

House Committee on Ways and Means
Statements and Webcast from Yesterday’s Full Committee Hearing on “Influence in American Non-profits: Unmasking Threats from Beijing and Beyond”

House Committee on Small Business
February 24: Full Committee Hearing on “Career and Technical Education: Developing the Future of Main Street Success”
Witnesses to be announced.
2360 Rayburn and via webcast.
10:00 a.m. EST

Senate Committee on Appropriations
February 10: Subcommittee Hearing on “A Review of Broadband Deployment Funding at the Department of Commerce”
Witnesses: Howard Lutnick, Secretary of the Department of Commerce.
138 Dirksen and via webcast.
9:30 a.m. EST

House Committee on Ways and Means
February 10: Full Committee Hearing on “Influence in American Non-profits: Unmasking Threats from Beijing and Beyond”
Witnesses to be announced.
1100 Longworth and via webcast
10:00 a.m. EST

House Committee on Small Business
February 24: Full Committee Hearing on “Career and Technical Education: Developing the Future of Main Street Success”
Witnesses to be announced.
2360 Rayburn and via webcast.
10:00 a.m. EST

House Committee on Ways and Means
Press Release: Neal Statement on Another Delayed Jobs Report

Senate Majority Leader
Press Release: Chair Cassidy Launches Oversight into Zohran Mamdani Emboldening Antisemitism, Endangering Jewish New Yorkers

Press Release: NEXT WEEK: Senate HELP Committee to Hold Hearing On Child Care Fraud, Protecting American Taxpayers

Press Release: NEWS: Sanders Launches Investigation into Trump’s Corporate Welfare for Walmart & Wealthy Corporations

House Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: Signature Moment: FY26 Appropriations Signed into Law by President Trump

Senate Majority Leader
Press Release: Thune: Female Athletes Deserve a Level Playing Field

House Committee on Education and Workforce
Press Release: Hearing Recap: “Runaway College Spending Meets the Working Families Tax Cuts”

Press Release: Owen Holds Hearing on Runaway College Spending

Press Release: Education Leaders Propose Bill to Rebuild America’s Public Schools

Press Release: Ranking Member Adams Remarks on College Affordability Crisis

Statements and Webcast from Yesterday’s Subcommittee Hearing on “Runaway College Spending Meets the Working Families Tax Cuts

Department of Education and the Administration

ED Blog:  Why the Presidential 1776 Award Rewards Student Achievement in American Founding History

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Highlights Flexibility in Federal Education Funding to Support Innovative Teacher Workforce Strategies in the States

HHS Press Release: Secretary Kennedy Celebrates Tennessee’s MAHA Wins, Headlines CattleCon on ‘Take Back Your Health’ Tour

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Takes Actions to Protect Integrity of U.S. Elections

ED Guidance: SPPO DCL to IHEs Regarding NSLVE

IES Press Release: Updated Study Review Protocol and new study reviews available

White House Press Release: Presidential Message on National Women and Girls in Sports Day

White House Press Release: Nominations Sent to the Senate

HHS Press Release: SAMHSA Distributes Nearly $800 Million in Block Grants Nationwide for Community-Based Mental Health and Substance Abuse Programs

Legislative Movement in Congress

H.R.7472 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to repeal a certain limitation on the receipt of assistance under both the Department of Veterans Affairs Veteran Readiness and Employment program and Department of Veterans Affairs educational assistance programs.
Sponsor: Peters, Scott H. [Rep.-D-CA-50] (Introduced 02/10/2026) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Action: House – 02/10/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Press Release: Reps. Peters, Rutherford, McGarvey, & Sens. King, Cramer Unveil Legislation to Protect Job Training Benefits for Disabled Veterans

S.3818 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to repeal a certain limitation on the receipt of assistance under both the Veteran Readiness and Employment program and the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sponsor: King, Angus S., Jr. [Sen.-I-ME] (Introduced 02/10/2026) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Action: Senate – 02/10/2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

S.3825 — A bill to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to expand the types of one-stop centers used to provide services.
Sponsor: Budd, Ted [Sen.-R-NC] (Introduced 02/10/2026) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 02/10/2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Senator Budd Pushes to Modernize Access to Employment Resources for Americans

H.R.7424 — To prohibit the award of Federal Government contracts to inverted domestic corporations, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: DeLauro, Rosa L. [Rep.-D-CT-3] (Introduced 02/09/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform; Armed Services
Latest Action: House – 02/09/2026 Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.7434 — To authorize the Director of the National Science Foundation to identify grand challenges and award competitive prizes for artificial intelligence research and development.
Sponsor: Lieu, Ted [Rep.-D-CA-36] (Introduced 02/09/2026) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology
Latest Action: House – 02/09/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

H.R.7451 — To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to discontinue the H-1B program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Steube, W. Gregory [Rep.-R-FL-17] (Introduced 02/09/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Judiciary
Latest Action: House – 02/09/2026 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Press Release: Rep. Steube Introduces EXILE Act

S.3809 — A bill to authorize the Director of the National Science Foundation to identify grand challenges and award competitive prizes for artificial intelligence research and development.
Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ] (Introduced 02/09/2026) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Action: Senate – 02/09/2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

S.3811 — A bill to prohibit the award of Federal Government contracts to inverted domestic corporations, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Durbin, Richard J. [Sen.-D-IL] (Introduced 02/09/2026) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Action: Senate – 02/09/2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

S.Res.601 — A resolution designating the week beginning February 2, 2026, as “National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week”.
Sponsor: Heinrich, Martin [Sen.-D-NM] (Introduced 02/05/2026) Cosponsors: (25)
Latest Action: Senate – 02/05/2026 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

H.R.5000 — Cybersecurity Hiring Modernization Act
Sponsor: Mace, Nancy [Rep.-R-SC-1] (Introduced 08/19/2025) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform
Latest Action: House – 02/04/2026 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

H.R.5658 — Child Care for Every Community Act
Sponsor: Sherrill, Mikie [Rep.-D-NJ-11] (Introduced 09/30/2025) Cosponsors: (51)
Committees: House – Education and Workforce
Latest Action: House – 02/04/2026 ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP – Ms. Ocasio-Cortez asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 5658, a bill originally introduced by Representative Sherrill, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings…

H.R.7341 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include certain part B institutions to be eligible for certain grants, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: McClellan, Jennifer L. [Rep.-D-VA-4] (Introduced 02/04/2026) Cosponsors: (13)
Committees: House – Education and Workforce
Latest Action: House – 02/04/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Press Release: McClellan Introduces GRAD Act to Expand Funding for HBCUs and PBIs

H.R.7343 — To amend section 477 of the Social Security Act to expand education and workforce training opportunities for youth who have experienced foster care.
Sponsor: Miller, Max L. [Rep.-R-OH-7] (Introduced 02/04/2026) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Ways and Means
Latest Action: House – 02/04/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.7368 — To authorize civil actions against institutions of higher education and athletic associations that negligently or recklessly permit a biologically male student athlete to compete in an athletic competition intended exclusively for female student athletes, resulting in harm.
Sponsor: McGuire, John J. [Rep.-R-VA-5] (Introduced 02/04/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Judiciary
Latest Action: House – 02/04/2026 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices

ED Comment Request: Job Corps Enrollee Allotment Determination. Comments due on or before April 13, 2026.

ED Notice: Submission Dates for State Revenue and Expenditure Reports for Fiscal Year 2025, Revisions to Those Reports, and Revisions to Prior Fiscal Year Reports

Today’s Federal Register.