Below is an abridged version of RAMC’s weekly Washington Wrap Up. Find out more about Wrap Up and other RAMC resources here.

October 29, 2019

HOUSE and SENATE 
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) introduced the FAFSA Simplification Act.

House Education and Labor Committee Chair Bobby Scott (D-VA) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) threatening to subpoena documents related to its handling of the closure of Dream Center Education Holdings (Dream Center) earlier this year. The letter also indicated that the Committee has obtained documents depicting how ED justified the awarding of Federal aid to two Dream Center schools that were no longer accredited by retroactively converting those proprietary schools to nonprofit schools.

The Senate rejected a resolution that would have repealed the U.S. Department of Treasury’s final rule preventing taxpayers from avoiding the State and local tax (SALT) deduction cap in States where State and local taxes can be counted as charitable contributions by a 43 to 52 vote.

The House Education and Labor Committee is holding a markup on the College Affordability Act (H.R.4674), the House Democrats’ Higher Education Act reauthorization proposal, on Tuesday, October 29.

ADMINISTRATION
ED selected four institutions of higher education (IHEs) and three financial services companies to participate in its pilot program that would allow students to receive credit balances from their Federal student aid allocations after tuition and fees are debited by their IHEs.

A. Wayne Johnson resigned from his position as the Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at ED’s Office of Federal Student Aid and announced his bid to represent Georgia in the U.S. Senate. Johnson’s main campaign proposals are canceling up to $50,000 in student loan debt for each borrower, providing a tax credit for individuals who have previously repaid their student loans and additional grant aid.

A Federal district court held U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in contempt and fined ED $100,000 for violating a previous court order to halt collection on loans made to former Corinthian College students.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
Klobuchar’s Plan: Free Community College, Expanded Pell [Inside Higher Ed]

Warren’s Education Plan, and Why High-Stakes Testing Seems Here to Stay [The New York Times]

Senate Bill to Require Colleges to Report Hazing [Inside Higher Ed]

Paul Ryan launches new nonprofit [The Hill]

Leaders in Latino success highlight need for data, community [Inside Higher Ed]

The degrees of separation between the genders in college keep growing [The Washington Post]

IBM Looks Beyond the College Degree [Inside Higher Ed]

California fires and power outages close campuses [Inside Higher Ed]

College Giving by Foundations Focuses on Helping Low-Income and First-Generation Students [The Chronicle of Philanthropy]

Op-Ed: It’s time for Congress to lift the ban on Pell Grants for people in prison [The Hill]

DeVos Held In Contempt Of Court; Ed Department Fined $100,000 In Student Loan Case [National Public Radio]

DeVos-appointed official resigns, calls for sweeping student loan forgiveness [The Washington Post]

Senator’s Anti-Violence Bill Backs Active-Shooter Training, School Internet Monitoring [Education Week]

First round of appointees to White House science panel heavy on industry [Inside Higher Ed]

Are states disinvesting in higher education? It depends on the time frame [Inside Higher Ed]

Spillover Impacts of Sanctions on For-Profits [Inside Higher Ed]
Third-Way Report: “What Happens to Students When the Federal Government Sanctions Colleges?”

Many HBCUs are teetering between surviving and thriving [The Hechinger Report]

Democrat says Trump administration improperly released aid to Dream Center colleges [Education Week]

Investigation into suspected vandalism at Education Department concludes that incident was an accident [Education Week]

College Closures, Student Debt, and More Takeaways From the Road [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

New Charges Against Lori Loughlin And 10 Other Parents In Admissions Case [National Public Radio]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
House Education and Labor Committee 
October 29: Full Committee Hearing: “H.R. 4674, College Affordability Act”
10:15 a.m. in 2175 Rayburn House Office Building or webcast

Press Release: Foxx Statement on Republican Substitute at Markup of Democrats’ Higher Education Bill

Press Release: Chairman Scott Threatens to Subpoena Secretary DeVos for Documents Related to Department’s Role in For-Profit School Closure

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions 
Press Release: Senator Patty Murray Questions Judicial Nominee Steven Menashi on Record of Helping DeVos Undermine Protections for Student Borrowers

Press Release: Alexander, Jones Introduce Bill to Simplify the FAFSA

Senate Committee on the Appropriations
Press Release: Paul Amendment #1019 Would Violate The Bipartisan Budget Agreement

Senate Committee on Budget
Press Release: Chairman Enzi: Soaring Deficits Show Our Fiscal Path is Unsustainable

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
White House Press Release: White House Appoints 2019-2020 Class of White House Fellows

White House Press Release: Executive Order on President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

ED Press Release: Secretary DeVos Joins Parents, Students, Members of Congress to Celebrate 15th Anniversary of DCOSP

DOL Press Release: U.S. Department Of Labor Announces Funding Opportunities To Serve Job Corps-Eligible Youth

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.2740 — Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Defense, State, Foreign Operations, and Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2020
Sponsor: Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3] (Introduced 05/15/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Appropriations Committee Reports: H. Rept. 116-62
Latest Action:  Senate – 10/28/2019 Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate.

H.R.3942 — Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act
Sponsor: Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3] (Introduced 07/24/2019) Cosponsors: (32)
Committees: House – Judiciary
Latest Action:  House – 10/28/2019 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Press Release: DeLauro, Armstrong E-Cigarette Bill Passes House of Representatives

H.R.4869 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to remove all adverse credit history related to a loan from the credit history of a borrower who has rehabilitated the loan.
Sponsor: Rep. Horn, Kendra S. [D-OK-5] (Introduced 10/28/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 10/28/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.4876 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a work-based learning opportunities pilot grant program.
Sponsor: Rep. Kilmer, Derek [D-WA-6] (Introduced 10/28/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 10/28/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

S.2719 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase the knowledge and skills of principals and school leaders regarding early childhood education.
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA] (Introduced 10/28/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 10/28/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S.2711 — A bill to require institutions of higher education to disclose hazing-related misconduct, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA] (Introduced 10/24/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 10/24/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

H.R.4822 — To promote and ensure delivery of high-quality special education and related services to students with visual disabilities or who are deaf or hard of hearing or deaf-blind through instructional methodologies meeting their unique learning needs, to enhance accountability for the provision of such services, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-8] (Introduced 10/23/2019) Cosponsors: (15)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 10/23/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.4826 — To award career pathways innovation grants to local educational agencies and consortia of local educational agencies, to provide technical assistance within the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education to administer the grants and support the local educational agencies with the preparation of grant applications and management of grant funds, to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to support community college and industry partnerships, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2] (Introduced 10/23/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 10/23/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.4835 — To provide grants to improve trauma support services and mental health care for children and youth in educational settings, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5] (Introduced 10/23/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 10/23/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R.4848 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a credit for employer-provided job training, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Sires, Albio [D-NJ-8] (Introduced 10/23/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Ways and Means; Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 10/23/2019 Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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…
Press Release: Congressman Sires and Senator Menendez Introduce Legislation to Close the Skills Gap and Expand Job Training Partnerships

H.R.4849 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the exclusion for educational assistance programs.
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Jason [R-MO-8] (Introduced 10/23/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Ways and Means
Latest Action:  House – 10/23/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.4851 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to carry out a State workforce incentive program.
Sponsor: Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21] (Introduced 10/23/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 10/23/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Stefanik Introduces Pslf Reform, The State Workforce Incentive Act

H.R.4852 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make available to veterans certain additional information about postsecondary educational institutions, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35] (Introduced 10/23/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Action:  House – 10/23/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

H.Res.653 — Calling on Congress, schools, and State and local educational agencies to recognize the significant educational implications of dyslexia that must be addressed, and supporting the designation of October 2019 as “National Dyslexia Awareness Month”.
Sponsor: Rep. Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4] (Introduced 10/23/2019) Cosponsors: (15)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 10/23/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Westerman Introduces Bipartisan Dyslexia Awareness Month Resolution

S.2670 — A bill to award career pathways innovation grants to local educational agencies and consortia of local educational agencies, to provide technical assistance within the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education to administer the grants and support the local educational agencies with the preparation of grant applications and management of grant funds, to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to support community college and industry partnerships, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN] (Introduced 10/23/2019) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 10/23/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: U.S. Senator Tina Smith, U.S. Representative Angie Craig Introduce 21st Century Workforce Partnerships Act

S.2681 — A bill to promote and ensure delivery of high-quality special education and related services to students with visual disabilities or who are deaf or hard of hearing or deaf-blind through instructional methodologies meeting their unique learning needs, to enhance accountability for the provision of such services, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] (Introduced 10/23/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 10/23/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Senators Markey and Capito Reintroduce Legislation to Improve Educational Opportunities for Visual and Hearing-Impaired Students

S.2690 — A bill to reduce mass violence, strengthen mental health collaboration in communities, improve school safety, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX] (Introduced 10/23/2019) Cosponsors: (5)
Committees: Senate – Judiciary
Latest Action:  Senate – 10/23/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Press Release: Cornyn, GOP Colleagues Introduce Bill to Help Prevent Mass Shootings

H.R.4787 — To amend title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 in order to increase the amount of financial support available for working students.
Sponsor: Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-7] (Introduced 10/22/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 10/22/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Representative Bera and Senator Baldwin Lead Effort to Support Working Students

H.R.4788 — To address the needs of workers in industries likely to be impacted by rapidly evolving technologies.
Sponsor: Rep. Bustos, Cheri [D-IL-17] (Introduced 10/22/2019) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Labor
Latest Action:  House – 10/22/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Press Release: Bustos, Durbin, Jones Introduce New Bill To Invest In American Workforce

S.2655 — A bill to amend title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 in order to increase the amount of financial support available for working students.
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI] (Introduced 10/22/2019) Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 10/22/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Senator Baldwin And Representative Bera Lead Effort To Support Working Students

S.2659 — A bill to address the needs of workers in industries likely to be impacted by rapidly evolving technologies.
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] (Introduced 10/22/2019) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 10/22/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Durbin, Jones, Bustos Introduce New Bill To Invest In American Workforce

S.2667 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make it easier to apply for Federal student aid, to make that aid predictable, to amend the Federal Pell Grant program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Alexander, Lamar [R-TN] (Introduced 10/22/2019) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 10/22/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Alexander, Jones Introduce Bill to Simplify the FAFSA

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Comment Request: 2019-20 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:20). Comments due November 29, 2019. 

ED Comment Request: Application for Borrower Defense to Loan Repayment Form. Comments due December 29, 2019. 

ED Comment Request: Federal Student Aid Application File. Comments due November 29, 2019. 

VA Comment Request: Student Verification of Employment, VA Form 22-8979.
Comments due November 27, 2019.

ED Comment Request: Study of State Policies to Prohibit Aiding and Abetting Sexual Misconduct in Schools. Comments due December 27, 2019. 

DOL Comment Request: Post Enrollment Data Collection for Job Corps Participants. Comments due November 25, 2019. 

Presidential Document: President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

DOL Withdrawal of Direct Final Rule: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Job Corps regulations.

DOL Grant Notice: Job Corps Scholars Program. Application due on or before January 8, 2020. 

DOL Comment Request: Cascades Job Corps College and Career Academy Pilot Evaluation, Continuing Collection.Comments due on or before December 23, 2019.

DOL Comment Request: Evaluation of the American Apprenticeship Initiative. Comments due on or before November 22, 2019.

DOL Comment Request: TechHire and Strengthening Working Families Initiative Grant Programs Evaluation—18-Month Follow-Up Survey. Comments due on or before November 22, 2019.