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

July 17, 2024

CONGRESS
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee marked up the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations bill. The bill passed by a vote of 31 to 25, sending it to the House floor for consideration. The bill text can be found here. The text of the Committee report can be found here.

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce held a markup of several pieces of legislation, including H.R. 8932, the FAFSA Deadline Act, and H.R. 2941, the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act. The FAFSA Deadline Act was reported favorably out of Committee by a margin of 34 to 6. The Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act was reported favorably out of Committee by a unanimous vote.

The House Ways and Means Committee passed H.R. 8914, the University Accountability Act, by a margin of 24 to 12 and H.R. 8913, the Protecting American Students Act, by a margin of 24 to 13, advancing both measures to the House floor.

The House passed H.J. Res. 165, which seeks to nullify the Biden Administration’s recently promulgated Title IX rule. Relatedly, a Federal District Court Judge in Texas issued a temporary injunction on this rule for the State of Texas.

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved top-line funding totals for a dozen annual spending bills, which includes $198.7 billion for LHHS appropriations.

ADMINISTRATION
The Biden Administration released its Spring 2024 Unified Agenda, which included proposed timelines for several regulatory actions including those at the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the U.S. Department of Labor.

ED published a blog post titled “Improvements for Borrowers Working Toward PSLF.”

COURTS
Several Republican State Attorneys General have filed an emergency request with the U.S. Supreme Court to block certain elements of the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) student loan repayment plan from being implemented.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Penn Hill Group provides a list of grant opportunities and summaries for select grants. Please visit our website for more information.

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

Nearly 700 More Colleges Don’t Have to Comply With New Title IX Rule [Inside Higher Ed]

What a tough private equity environment could mean for university endowments [Higher Ed Dive]

Student loan borrowers back in tumultuous spot amid latest legal challenges [The Hill]

J.D. Vance Called Universities ‘The Enemy.’ Now He’s Trump’s VP Pick. [Inside Higher Ed]

Federal judge temporarily blocks new Title IX rule from taking effect in Texas [Higher Ed Dive]

GOP lawmakers raise pressure on Education Department after Chevron decision [Higher Ed Dive]

Op-Ed: Imagining a Financial Aid Portal [Inside Higher Ed]

Women don’t have equal access to college in prison. Here’s why [NPR]

Op-Ed: College Leaders Should Prepare for a Fiery Fall [Inside Higher Ed]

Education Department could face ‘stronger and new challenges’ post-Chevron, Moody’s says [Higher Ed Dive

House Republicans Vote to Overturn Biden Title IX Rule [Inside Higher Ed]

Are Colleges’ Predictive Analytics Biased Against Black and Hispanic Students? [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

AP Exams Face a Security Test [Inside Higher Ed]

Massachusetts draws in nontraditional learners with free college program [Higher Ed Dive]

Around the halls: After Chevron, what’s next? [The Brookings Institution]

Project 2025 Would Radically Overhaul Higher Ed. Here’s How. [Inside Higher Ed]

House committee advances bill to mandate FAFSA release by Oct. 1 [Higher Ed Dive]

‘A Professor’s Digital Mini-Me’ [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

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

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

Press Release: Ranking Member Cassidy Demands Transparency for Education Department’s Delays in Addressing Student Privacy Complaints

Press Release: Ranking Member Cassidy, Chairwoman Foxx, Colleagues Demand Update on OIG Investigation into Biden’s Botched FAFSA Rollout, Amid Concerns of Further FAFSA Delays

Senate Minority Leader

Press Release: McConnell: Biden Admin.’s Student Loan Socialism Found Illegal Yet Again

House Committee on Education and the Workforce

Press Release: Fixing FAFSA: How the Committee is Fighting for Students

Press Release: Chair Foxx Promises Robust Oversight if Biden Admin Fails to Heed the Limits Placed on its Authority Following Chevron Reversal

Press Release: Ranking Member Bonamici Leads Opposition Against Extreme Republicans’ Attack on Title IX

Press Release: Foxx Delivers Opening Remarks at Markup to Expedite FAFSA, Optimize Workforce Data Collection, and Protect American Savers

Press Release: What They’re Saying: Biden’s Title IX Rule Will Erase and Endanger Women

Press Release: Foxx: Congress Must Act to Protect Women and Preserve Title IX

Press Release: @EdWorkforceCmte Advances Bills to Expedite FAFSA, Optimize Workforce Data Collection, and Protect American Savers

Press Release: Chairwoman Foxx, Ranking Member Cassidy, Colleagues Demand Update on OIG Investigation into Biden’s Botched FAFSA Rollout Amid Concerns of Further FAFSA Delays

Press Release: Ranking Member Scott Opening Statement at Markup of Bills to Undermine FAFSA and Jeopardize Retirees’ Savings

Press Release: What People Are *Actually* Saying About Extreme Republicans’ Attack on Young Women, Girls, LGBTQIA+ Students, and Sexual Assault Survivors

Press Release: Committee Republicans Vote to Undermine FAFSA and Jeopardize Retirees’ Savings

Statements and Webcast from Yesterday’s Full Committee Markup on “H.R. 8932, H.R. 2941, H.R. 6319, H.R. 2574, H.J. Res. 142”

House Committee on Appropriations

Press Release: Aderholt Remarks at FY25 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill Full Committee Markup

Press Release: Cole Remarks at FY25 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill Full Markup

Press Release: Committee Approves FY25 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act

Press Release: Ranking Member DeLauro Statement at the Full Committee Markup of the 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Funding Bill

House Committee on Small Businesses

Press Release: Chairman Williams: “Main Street Realities: Examining the Current Economic Landscape in America”

Press Release: Committee on Small Business Holds Hearing Examining the State of Small Business Amid Unprecedented Economic Challenges

House Committee on the Budget

Press Release: House Budget Committee Releases Discussion Drafts and Solicits Feedback on Legislation to Improve the Congressional Budget Process

Press Release: Boyle Statement Celebrating 50th Anniversary of the Congressional Budget Act

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration

White House Press Release: FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces New Actions to Expand Opportunities for Latino Communities and Ensure Every Family Has a Fair Shot at the American Dream

White House Press Release: FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces Record Federal Investments in Registered Apprenticeships, Holds Workforce Hub Convening in Philadelphia with New Commitments to Train and Hire Residents to Work on Major Infrastructure Projects

White House Press Release: Statement from President Joe Biden on the June Consumer Price Index

ED Blog: Update on Department of Education’s Postsecondary Education Regulatory Work

ED Media Advisory: Secretary Cardona to Visit Atlanta, Georgia, to Meet with HBCU Presidents and Speak with Student Debt Relief Recipients

ED Blog: Improvements for Borrowers Working Toward PSLF

DOL Press Release: US Department of Labor awards up to $13.9M to fund pilot programs to deliver info-technology skills, training, job services to Job Corps students

DOL Press Release: US Department of Labor awards more than $39M in grants to expand, diversify state Registered Apprenticeship programs

DOL Press Release: Biden-Harris administration awards over $244M to modernize, diversify, expand Registered Apprenticeships in growing industries

GAO Report: Open GAO Recommendations: Financial Benefits Could Be Between $106 Billion and $208 Billion

IES Press Release: NCER Awards $103 Million in Education Research Grants

Legislative Movement in Congress:

H.R.8984 — To amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to expand MBDA Business Centers near minority-serving institutions, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Nickel, Wiley [Rep.-D-NC-13] (Introduced 07/10/2024) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: House – Financial Services; Small Business

Latest Action: House – 07/10/2024 Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, 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 Nickel, Congresswoman Adams Introduce the Supporting Diverse Entrepreneurs Act

H.R.8932 — FAFSA Deadline Act

Sponsor: Houchin, Erin [Rep.-R-IN-9] (Introduced 07/05/2024) Cosponsors: (6)

Committees: House – Education and the Workforce

Latest Action: House – 07/10/2024 Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 34 – 6.

Press Release: Congresswoman Houchin Introduced Legislation Requiring FAFSA to be Available on October 1

H.R.9004 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 regarding proprietary institutions of higher education in order to protect students and taxpayers.

Sponsor: Cohen, Steve [Rep.-D-TN-9] (Introduced 07/11/2024) Cosponsors: (0)

Committees: House – Education and the Workforce

Latest Action: House – 07/11/2024 Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Press Release: Congressman Cohen Re-Introduces the POST Act

H.R.9005 — To ensure that Federal work-study funding is available for students enrolled in residency programs for teachers, principals, or school leaders, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Crow, Jason [Rep.-D-CO-6] (Introduced 07/11/2024) Cosponsors: (3)

Committees: House – Education and the Workforce

Latest Action: House – 07/11/2024 Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Press Release: Reps. Crow, Chavez-DeRemer, Fitzpatrick, and Hayes Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat National Teacher Shortage

H.R.9029 — Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025

Sponsor: Aderholt, Robert B. [Rep.-R-AL-4] (Introduced 07/12/2024) Cosponsors: (0)

Committees: House – Appropriations

Latest Action: House – 07/12/2024 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 485.

S.4657 — A bill to establish a grant program for education related to semiconductor manufacturing and related industries.

Sponsor: Kelly, Mark [Sen.-D-AZ] (Introduced 07/10/2024) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: Senate – Commerce, Science, and Transportation

Latest Action: Senate – 07/10/2024 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Press Release: Kelly, Budd Introduce Bill to Boost Microchip Manufacturing Workforce

S.4653 — A bill to repeal portions of a regulation issued by the State Superintendent of Education of the District of Columbia that require child care workers to have a degree, a certificate, or a minimum number of credit hours from an institution of higher education.

Sponsor: Lee, Mike [Sen.-R-UT] (Introduced 07/10/2024) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: Senate – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Latest Action: Senate – 07/10/2024 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Press Release: Lee, Mace Target D.C.’s Absurd, Cost-Inflating Childcare Regulations

S.4670 — A bill to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act regarding employer-directed skills development, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Budd, Ted [Sen.-R-NC] (Introduced 07/11/2024) Cosponsors: (0)

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

Latest Action: Senate – 07/11/2024 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Press Release: Budd Introduces Bill to Help Job-Seekers Access Skills Development Programs

S.4686 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the disclosure of the annual percentage rates applicable to Federal student loans.

Sponsor: Barrasso, John [Sen.-R-WY] (Introduced 07/11/2024) Cosponsors: (1)

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

Latest Action: Senate – 07/11/2024 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Press Release: Barrasso, Lummis Introduce Bill to Bring Transparency to the Student Loan Process

S.4701 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 regarding proprietary institutions of higher education in order to protect students and taxpayers.

Sponsor: Durbin, Richard J. [Sen.-D-IL] (Introduced 07/11/2024) Cosponsors: (0)

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

Latest Action: Senate – 07/11/2024 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Press Release: Durbin, Cohen Introduce Bicameral Legislation To Crack Down On For-Profit College Industry

S.4715 — A bill to require the National Cyber Director to submit to Congress a plan to establish an institute within the Federal Government to serve as a centralized resource and training center for Federal cyber workforce development.

Sponsor: Rounds, Mike [Sen.-R-SD] (Introduced 07/11/2024) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: Senate – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Latest Action: Senate – 07/11/2024 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Comment Request: Evaluation of the Innovative Assessment Demonstration Authority Pilot Program Survey Data Collections. Comments due on or before July 25, 2024.

ED Comment Request: National Center for College Students With Disabilities (NCCSD) Database of Disability Services and Activities in Higher Education. Comments due on or before July 29, 2024.

ED Comment Request: William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (Direct Loan Program) Promissory Notes and Related Forms. Comments due on or before July 29, 2024.

ED Notice: Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program. Applications due on August 5, 2024.

ED Grant: Technical Assistance on State Data Collection–National Technical Assistance Center to Improve State Capacity to Collect, Report, Analyze, and Use Accurate IDEA Part B Data. Applications due on or before August 8, 2024.

ED Grant Notice: Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities—National Center on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, etc. Applications due on or before August 12, 2024.

ED Comment Request: U.S. Department of Education Postsecondary Success Recognition Program. Comments are due on or before August 12, 2024.

ED Grant: From Seedlings to Scale Grant Program and Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Education Policy and Practice. Applications due on or before August 15, 2024.

ED Comment Request: Impact Aid Electronic Data Collection (EDC) Program Questionnaire. Comments due on or before August 16, 2024.

ED Comment Request: Rural, Insular, and Native Achievement Programs Progress Update Protocol. Comments due on or before August 23, 2024.

DOL Comment Request: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Common Performance Reporting. Comments due on or before August 23, 2024.

ED Grant: State Personnel Development Grants (SPDG) Program. Applications due on or before August 23, 2024.

ED Grant Notice: Stronger Connections Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Grant Program. Applications due on or before August 26, 2024.

DOD Grant Notice: Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Consortium. Applications due on or before September 12, 2024.

ED Comment Request: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) I, II and III Data Collection Form. Comments are due on or before September 13 2024.

ED Comment Request: Performance Reports for Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Program. Comments due on or before September 16, 2024.

NSF Grant Notice: Advanced Technological Education. Applications due on or before October 3, 2024.