RAMC Washington Wrap Up – July 24, 2026

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

ADMINISTRATION

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a final rule limiting F-1 and J-1 students’ stay in the U.S. to four years unless they receive an approved extension, replacing the previous policy that allowed students to remain in the country for the duration of their academic program.

POLITICO reported that the Small Business Administration is considering starting a new program for student borrowers.

CONGRESS

The House Education and Workforce Committee marked up H.R. 9607, the Less Bureaucracy, Better Workforce Development Act; H.R. 9610, the Less Bureaucracy, Better K-12 Education Act; H.R. 9611, the Less Bureaucracy, Better Higher Education Act; H.R. 9605, the Less Bureaucracy, Better Foreign Medical Accreditation Act; H.R. 9604, the Less Bureaucracy, Better Tribal Education Act; H.R. 9606, the Less Bureaucracy, Better Child Care for Student Parents Act; H.R. 9603, the Less Bureaucracy, Better International Education Oversight Act; H.R. 9602, the Less Bureaucracy, Better Foreign Gift Transparency Act; H.R. 9608, the Less Bureaucracy, Better Family Engagement Act; and H.R. 9609, the Less Bureaucracy, Better Student Aid Act. H.R. 9607, H.R. 9609, H.R. 9603 and H.R. 9610 passed by a 19 to 16 vote. H.R. 9602, H.R. 9605, H.R. 9606 and H.R. 9611 passed by a 20 to 16 vote. Finally, H.R. 9608 and H.R. 9604 passed by a 20 to 15 vote. The bills can now proceed to the House floor for consideration.
House leadership released the bill text of a continuing resolution for fiscal year 2027, extending government funding and operations through December 4. The bill may be considered on the House floor next week.

Senate Appropriations Committee Member Lindsey Graham (R-SC) passed away at the age of 71. Shortly after, Sen. Graham’s sister, Darline Graham, was appointed by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster (R) and sworn into the Senate to finish the remainder of her late brother’s term.

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

House Republicans Move to Codify the Definition of Biological Sex [Inside Higher Ed]

Trump administration investigating Harvard over international students’ financial aid [The Hill]

A University Used ‘Hardship’ Essays to Discriminate in Admissions, Justice Department Says [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Americans say four-year colleges cost too much [The Washington Post]
Gallup and Lumina Foundation Report: “Just 12% of Americans Say Four-Year Colleges Are Affordable”

Trump Administration Can’t Cite Changed Priorities to Terminate Grants [Inside Higher Ed]

90% of students use AI in the classroom, Instructure poll finds [Higher Ed Dive]

New Data Shows How California’s Black-Serving Institutions Are Performing [Inside Higher Ed]

Trump’s Education Department Leaves Mountain of Public Records Requests Unaddressed [The 74]

How Soon Could Colleges Lose Loan Access Under New Accountability Metric? [Inside Higher Ed]

A wave of student loan borrowers have entered default since pandemic-era protections lapsed [The Associated Press]

New Initiative Targets Transfer Credit Loss [Inside Higher Ed]

Education researchers warn political review of federal grants could reshape what gets studied [The Hechinger Report]

Trump administration caps student visa stays at 4 years under final rule [Higher Ed Dive]

Trump officials pitch new solution to student debt problem [POLITICO]

The Massive Collapse in College Confidence Isn’t Getting Any Better [The 74]

Iowa Schools Acknowledge Federal Limits on CTE Courses for Undocumented Students [Inside Higher Ed]

House Republicans Advance Legislation to Formally Dismantle ED [Inside Higher Ed]

The Government Tried to Cancel Colleges’ Grants. Now It’s Rewriting the Rules for Awarding Them. [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

The Rise of the Nontraditional College Student [Inside Higher Education]

Penn State, Temple and Pitt get boost from new performance-based funding [Higher Ed Dive]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
July 23: Full Committee Executive Session to consider the nominations of Sean Kaufman to be Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response for the Department of Health and Human Services; Erica Schwartz to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Keith Sonderling to be Secretary of Labor.
430 Dirksen and via webcast.
10:00 a.m. ET

July 29: Full Committee Markup of S. 5038, S. 5046, S. 2511, S. 3010, S. 3589, S. 4097, S. 4689, S. 3333, S. 4965, & S. 3097
430 Dirksen and via webcast.
10:00 a.m. ET

House Committee on Education and Workforce
Press Release: @EdWorkforceCmte Passes 10 Bills to Strengthen Education, Support Workers, and Expand Opportunity

Press Release: Chair Walberg Delivers Remarks at Markup of 10 Bills to Strengthen Education, Support Workers, and Expand Opportunity

Statements and Webcast from Yesterday’s Full Committee Markup of H.R. 8781, H.R. 4986, H.R. 8747, H.R. 8183, H.R. 9723, H.R. 8660, H.R. 8347, H.R. 6213, H.R. 8775, & H.R. 5267

July 22: Subcommittee Hearing on “Broken Trust: How the Biden-Harris DOL Leaked Confidential Information”
Witnesses: TBD
2175 Rayburn and via webcast.
10:14 a.m. ET

July 24: Field Hearing on “Building an AI-Ready America: How AI Is Creating Opportunities Across America’s Workforce”
Witnesses: TBD
Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center, Hull McKnight Building, Augusta University (111th Street Augusta, GA 30901) and via webcast.
10:00 a.m. ET

House Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: Cole on H.R. 9770: “We are Acting Before a Funding Lapse Crisis, Not in Response to It.”

Press Release: House Passes H.R. 9770: Providing Certainty, Preventing Disruption, and Advancing Responsible Governance

Press Release: DeLauro Calls for Bipartisan, Bicameral Negotiations on Continuing Resolution

House Majority Leader
Press Release: The Leader’s Floor Lookout: Tuesday, July 21, 2026

House Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: Cole Testifies at Rules Committee on H.R. 9770

Press Release: Ranking Member DeLauro Opposes House Republican Continuing Resolution in Current Form

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
Press Release: New National Poll: 72% of Americans Support the Protect College Sports Act

House Majority Leader
Press Release: Committee Cliff Notes: Weekly Preview – Week of July 20, 2026

Press Release: The Leader’s Floor Lookout: Week of July 20, 2026

Press Release: Committee Cliff Notes: Weekly Recap — Week of July 13, 2026

House Committee on Education and Workforce
Press Release: @EdWorkforceCmte to Mark Up 10 Bills

House Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: Committee Takes Proactive Step to Prevent Partisan Shutdown, Protect Full-Year Funding Process

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Press Release: NEXT WEEK: Senate HELP Committee to Vote on Health, Labor Nominations

Press Release: Chairman Cassidy Delivers Remarks During Confirmation Hearing on Nomination for Secretary of Labor

Statements and Webcast from July 16 Full Committee Hearing on the Nomination of Keith Sonderling to be Secretary of Labor.

House Committee on Education and Workforce
Press Release: @EdWorkforceCmte to Hold Georgia Field Hearing on AI Creating Opportunities Across America’s Workforce

Press Release: Mackenzie Announces Hearing on How Biden-Harris DOL Leaked Confidential Information

Press Release: ICYMI: Ranking Member Scott Hosts Event on Impact of Dismantling ED on Adult Education, TRIO Programs

House Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: House Appropriations Committee Democratic Leaders Write to Trump Administration Opposing Political Power Grab

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Press Release: Senate HELP Committee Votes to Approve Trump Nominees

Statements and Webcast from July 15 Full Committee Executive Session to consider the nominations of Brett Matsumoto, of Maryland, to be Commissioner of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor; James Macy, of Wisconsin, and David M. Prouty, of Maryland, each to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board; and Michael McDonald, of the District of Columbia, to be Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

House Committee on Education and Workforce
Press Release: Chair Walberg Delivers Remarks at Markup of “Less Bureaucracy, Better Education” Legislative Package

Press Release: @EdWorkforceCmte Passes “Less Bureaucracy, Better Education” Legislative Package

Press Release: Ranking Member Scott Slams Republicans for Blindly Rubber-Stamping Trump’s Plans to Dismantle ED

Press Release: Republicans’ Bless President Trump’s Illegal Scheme to Dismantle ED

Statements and Webcast from July 15 Full Committee Markup of H.R. 9607, H.R. 9609, H.R. 9602, H.R. 9603, H.R. 9605, H.R. 9606, H.R. 9611, H.R. 9610, H.R. 9608, & H.R. 9604.

Department of Education and the Administration

White House Press Release: President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts Ignite Manufacturing Renaissance Across All 50 States

ED Press Release: U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Issues Statement on the House Education and Workforce Committee’s “Less Bureaucracy, Better Education” Legislative Package

Legislative Movement in Congress

H.R.8183 — MATCH Act of 2026
Sponsor: Owens, Burgess [Rep.-R-UT-4] (Introduced 04/02/2026) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House – Education and Workforce
Latest Action: House – 07/21/2026 Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 33 – 0.
Press Release: Rep. Owens MATCH Act Passes Committee Markup with Unanimous Support

H.R.8781 — Title IX Clarification Act of 2026
Sponsor: Arrington, Jodey C. [Rep.-R-TX-19] (Introduced 05/13/2026) Cosponsors: (42)
Committees: House – Education and Workforce
Latest Action: House – 07/21/2026 Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 18 – 15.

S.5050 — A bill to support an interdisciplinary research community for the advancement of artificial intelligence and AI-powered innovation through partnerships and capacity building at certain institutions of higher education and other institutions, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Blunt Rochester, Lisa [Sen.-D-DE] (Introduced 07/21/2026) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Action: Senate – 07/21/2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

S.5053 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for accreditation reform, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Warren, Elizabeth [Sen.-D-MA] (Introduced 07/21/2026) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 07/21/2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.5055 — A bill to establish a National Workforce Transition Board to support training and education activities for workers, in response to the adoption of artificial intelligence and emerging technology, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Warner, Mark R. [Sen.-D-VA] (Introduced 07/21/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate – Finance
Latest Action: Senate – 07/21/2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

H.R.9770 — Making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2027, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Cole, Tom [Rep.-R-OK-4] (Introduced 07/18/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Appropriations; Budget
Latest Action: House – 07/18/2026 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.Con.Res.113 — Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2027 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2028 through 2036.
Sponsor: Arrington, Jodey C. [Rep.-R-TX-19] (Introduced 07/18/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Budget
Committee Report: H. Rept. 119-754
Latest Action: House – 07/18/2026 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 657.
Press Release: Arrington Advances Reconciliation 3.0

H.R.9741 — To name the District of Columbia tuition assistance grant program the “Eleanor Holmes Norton District of Columbia Tuition Assistance Grant Program”.
Sponsor: Garcia, Robert [Rep.-D-CA-42] (Introduced 07/16/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform
Latest Action: House – 07/16/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

H.R.9747 — To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for career support for a skilled, internationally educated health care workforce.
Sponsor: Krishnamoorthi, Raja [Rep.-D-IL-8] (Introduced 07/16/2026) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
Latest Action: House – 07/16/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Press Release: Krishnamoorthi and Smith Reintroduce Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act to Strengthen America’s Health Care Workforce

H.R.9748 —To provide consumer protections for students.
Sponsor: Krishnamoorthi, Raja [Rep.-D-IL-8] (Introduced 07/16/2026) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Workforce
Latest Action: House – 07/16/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

H.R.9765 — To amend the requirements for teaching residency programs under part A of title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Sponsor: Smith, Adam [Rep.-D-WA-9] (Introduced 07/16/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Workforce
Latest Action: House – 07/16/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

S.5012 — A bill to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for career support for a skilled, internationally educated health care workforce.
Sponsor: Kaine, Tim [Sen.-D-VA] (Introduced 07/16/2026) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 07/16/2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Kaine, Murkowski Introduce Legislation to Boost Health Care Workforce, Address Shortages

S.5021 — A bill to provide consumer protections for students.
Sponsor: Merkley, Jeff [Sen.-D-OR] (Introduced 07/16/2026) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 07/16/2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

H.Res.1432 — Of inquiry requesting the President and directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to transmit, respectively, certain documents to the House of Representatives relating to the freeze on State-based Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Child Care and Development Fund, and Social Services Block Grant payments for California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York.
Sponsor: Davis, Danny K. [Rep.-D-IL-7] (Introduced 07/15/2026) Cosponsors: (23)
Committees: House – Ways and Means
Latest Action: House – 07/15/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Press Release: Rep. Davis Leads Bill to Compel Trump Administration to Release All Relevant Records Related to Illegal Freezing of Child Care, Welfare, and Social Services Funds to IL, CA, CO, MN, and NY

S.4984 — A bill to amend the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure workplace choice and opportunity for young adults with disabilities.
Sponsor: Cotton, Tom [Sen.-R-AR] (Introduced 07/15/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 07/15/2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Cotton Introduces Bill to Expand Employment Opportunities for Disabled Arkansans

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices

Today’s Federal Register.