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

May 16, 2025

CONGRESS

The Senate passed a Congressional Review Act resolution to overturn the FCC’s “Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program” rule in a 50 to 38 vote. The rule allows telecommunications funds to support take-home Wi-Fi for students.

ADMINISTRATION

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced its intention to hold negotiated rulemaking sessions on the following topics: (1) refining definitions of a qualifying employer for the purposes of determining eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program; and (2) revisiting family size, restructuring repayment plan provisions, including the alternative repayment plan and certain other provisions of the July 10, 2023 rule. Additionally, ED shared the list of constituencies it will consider for nominations to the negotiated rulemaking committee. ED’s notice states that the negotiated rulemaking meetings will take place between June 30 and July 2.

The Trump Administration nominated David Barker to be ED’s Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced that effective immediately, it will apply a standard indirect cost rate not to exceed 15 percent to all grants and cooperative agreements awarded to institutions of higher education for which indirect costs are allowable. A lawsuit has been filed against this action.

ED’s Office of Federal Student Aid urged colleges and universities to remind students to repay their loans.

The U.S Department of Labor terminated dozens of workforce development grants from its Women’s Bureau citing “wasteful” ties to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and gender ideology.

The Trump Administration let go Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress.

COURTS
A district judge issued an injunction, blocking the Trump Administration from carrying out its Executive Order to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

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

How House Lawmakers Could Reshape Higher Ed [Inside Higher Ed]

Trump’s cuts to teacher training leave rural school districts, aspiring educators in the lurch [The Hechinger Report]

FIRE: 600 Students Punished for Protected Speech Since 2020 [Inside Higher Ed]

Trump administration cuts $450M more in Harvard grants, alleging antisemitism  [The Hill]

More women are landing construction jobs. Trump’s war on DEI could change that [The Hechinger Report]

These 35 Colleges Could Take a Financial Hit Under Republicans’ Expanded Endowment Tax [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Amid DEI Crackdown, Students Hold Their Own Affinity Graduations [Inside Higher Ed]

GOP proposes five-fold increase in tax on college endowments [The Washington Post]

Trump Sends Mixed Signals on Apprenticeships [Inside Higher Ed]

How could cuts to the Education Department impact HBCUs? [Higher Ed Dive]

The future of student loan repayment, explained [NPR]

New York’s adult learners can now attend community college for free [Higher Ed Dive]

Congress Could Make Paying for College Even More Complicated [Inside Higher Ed]

Here’s What Republicans’ Proposed College-Endowment Tax Could Look Like [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Can Scientific Research Survive Without Federal Funding? [Inside Higher Ed]

This week in 5 numbers: Trump eyes 15.3% cut for Education Department [Higher Ed Dive]

Education Dept. Cancels Fulbright-Hays Applications, at Least for Now [Inside Higher Ed]

Facing New Protests and Political Pressure, Colleges Are Taking a Harder Line [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

How a Georgetown scholar went from ‘quiet’ researcher to detainee [The Washington Post]

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

Senate Majority Leader

Press Release: Building on the Successes of Republicans’ Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Senate Minority Leader

Press Release: Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On Republicans’ “Big, Beautiful Bill” That Attacks American Families, Slashing Billions From Medicaid And SNAP

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

Press Release: Chair Cassidy Delivers Remarks During Hearing on Proposed HHS Budget

Press Release: Next Week: Senate HELP Committee to Hold Hearing on State of Higher Education

Statements and Webcast from Yesterday’s Full Committee Hearing on “Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Health and Human Services Budget”

House Minority Leader

Press Release: “Donald Trump and House Republicans are Trying to Enact One of The Largest Healthcare Cuts in American History”

House Committee on Education and Workforce

Press Release: Owens Announces Hearing Titled “Restoring Excellence: The Case Against DEI”

Press Release: Chairman Walberg Meets with DOL Secretary Chavez-DeRemer

Press Release: Committee Democrats Question Labor Department about Impact of Mass Layoffs on Workers

House Committee on Appropriations

Statements and Webcast from Yesterday’s Full Committee Budget Hearing on “U.S. Department of Health and Human Services”

Press Release: Aderholt Remarks at Budget Hearing for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

May 14: Full Committee Budget Hearing on “U.S. Department of Health and Human Services”

Witness: The Honorable Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

2358 Rayburn and via webcast

9:30 a.m. ET

May 15: Full Committee Budget Hearing on “U.S. Department of Labor”

Witness: The Honorable Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor

2358 Rayburn and via webcast

10:00 a.m. ET

House Committee on Ways and Means

Press Release: Neal Opening Statement at Markup of Tax Cuts for Billionaires, Health Care Cuts for Americans

May 13: Full Committee Markup of “Legislative proposals to comply with the reconciliation directive included in section 2001 of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2025, H. Con. Res. 14.”

1100 Longworth and via webcast

2:00 p.m. ET

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration

White House Press Release: ICYMI: “A Common Sense Budget Reconciliation Bill”

White House Press Release: WEEK 16 WINS: President Trump Advances America’s New Golden Age

ED Press Release: Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism Statement on Additional Harvard Actions

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Calls for Nominations to Serve on Negotiated Rulemaking Committee

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Celebrates President Trump’s Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education

ED Press Release: Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism Statement Regarding Columbia University

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Launches Title IX Investigation into Western Carolina University

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Opens Foreign Funding Investigation into University of Pennsylvania After Discovering Inaccurate and Untimely Foreign Financial Disclosures

DOL Press Release: Secretary Chavez-DeRemer celebrates National Skilled Trades Day, highlights apprenticeship programs in Denver

HHS Press Release: HHS’ Civil Rights Office Investigates Alleged Civil Rights Violations at a Prestigious Midwest University

GAO: Report: Priority Open Recommendations: Department of Education

GAO Report: Priority Open Recommendations: Department of Labor

GAO Report: Priority Open Recommendations: Department of Health and Human Services

Legislative Movement in Congress:

H.R.3345 — To abolish the Department of Education, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Higgins, Clay [Rep.-R-LA-3] (Introduced 05/13/2025) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce; Energy and Commerce

Latest Action: House – 05/13/2025 Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.3412 — To suspend and reform the authority under the Higher Education Act of 1965 for the Secretary of Education to carry out an administrative wage garnishment program.

Sponsor: Pressley, Ayanna [Rep.-D-MA-7] (Introduced 05/14/2025) Cosponsors: (0)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 05/14/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Press Release: Pressley, Booker, Warren Unveil Bill to Suspend Garnishments for Student Loan Borrowers

H.R.3267 — To ensure that borrowers who have performed qualifying public service are eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Sponsor: Houlahan, Chrissy [Rep.-D-PA-6] (Introduced 05/08/2025) Cosponsors: (1)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 05/08/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

H.R.3274 — To provide assistance with respect to child care infrastructure.

Sponsor: Clark, Katherine M. [Rep.-D-MA-5] (Introduced 05/08/2025) Cosponsors: (5)

Committees: House – Ways and Means

Latest Action: House – 05/08/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.3281 — To prohibit the reduction, elimination, or suspension of funding for land-grant colleges and universities.

Sponsor: Figures, Shomari [Rep.-D-AL-2] (Introduced 05/08/2025) Cosponsors: (10)

Committees: House – Agriculture; Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 05/08/2025 Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, 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: Figures, Adams Introduce Legislation to Protect Federal Funding for Land-Grant Institutions

H.R.3282 — To amend title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance on the ground of religion, to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for rigorous enforcement of prohibitions against discrimination by institutions of higher education on the basis of antisemitism, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Fine, Randy [Rep.-R-FL-6] (Introduced 05/08/2025) Cosponsors: (0)

Committees: House – Judiciary; Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 05/08/2025 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.

H.R.3284 — To require audits of institutions with respect to disclosures of foreign gifts, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Gill, Brandon [Rep.-R-TX-26] (Introduced 05/08/2025) Cosponsors: (0)

Committees: House – Ways and Means; Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 05/08/2025 Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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, Sen. Cruz Bill Penalizes Universities that Mask Foreign Funding

H.R.3285 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow married couples to apply the student loan interest deduction limitation separately to each spouse, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Grothman, Glenn [Rep.-R-WI-6] (Introduced 05/08/2025) Cosponsors: (9)

Committees: House – Ways and Means

Latest Action: House – 05/08/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Press Release: Grothman Reintroduces Bipartisan Student Loan Marriage Penalty Elimination Act

H.R.3298 — To revise counseling requirements for certain borrowers of student loans, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [Rep.-R-IA-1] (Introduced 05/08/2025) Cosponsors: (0)

Committees: House – Education and Workforce

Latest Action: House – 05/08/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Press Release: Miller-Meeks, Grassley Reintroduce Bill to Equip Students with Full Loan Info Before Borrowing

S.1738 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit institutions of higher education from receiving gifts from or entering into contracts with foreign countries of concern.

Sponsor: Sullivan, Dan [Sen.-R-AK] (Introduced 05/13/2025) Cosponsors: (0)

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

Latest Action: Senate – 05/13/2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pension.

S.1764 — A bill to suspend and reform the authority under the Higher Education Act of 1965 for the Secretary of Education to carry out an administrative wage garnishment program.

Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ] (Introduced 05/14/2025) Cosponsors: (1)

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

Latest Action: Senate – 05/14/2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Press Release: Booker, Warren, Pressley Reintroduce Legislation To Suspend Garnishments for Student Loan Borrowers

S.1683 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for Workforce Pell Grants.

Sponsor: Budd, Ted [Sen.-R-NC] (Introduced 05/08/2025) Cosponsors: (4)

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

Latest Action: Senate – 05/08/2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Press Release: Senator Budd Introduces PELL Act to Advance American Competitiveness by Unlocking Workforce Potential

S.1684 — A bill to require audits of institutions with respect to disclosures of foreign gifts, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Cruz, Ted [Sen.-R-TX] (Introduced 05/08/2025) Cosponsors: (0)

Committees: Senate – Finance

Latest Action: Senate – 05/08/2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Press Release: Sen. Cruz Introduces Bill Penalizing Universities that Mask Foreign Funding

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:

ACF Comment Request: Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) Automated Function Checklist and Data Quality Plan. Comments due on or before May 23, 2025.

ACF Comment Request: Child Care and Development Fund Quarterly Case-Level Report. Comments due on or before May 29, 2025.

NSF Comment Request: Intent To Seek Approval To Establish an Information Collection. Comments due on or before May 30, 2025.

ED Nomination Request: Negotiator Nominations and Schedule of Committee Meetings. Nominations due on or before June 2, 2025.

ED Request for Nominations: National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality, and Integrity. Nominations due on or before June 6, 2025.

ED Comment Request: Income Driven Repayment Plan Request for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans and Federal Family Education Loan Programs. Comments due on or before June 9, 2025.

ED Comment Request: Perkins Career and Technical Education Act State Plan Guide. Comments are due on or before June 9, 2025.

ED Comment Request: Consolidated Annual Report (CAR) for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006. Comments are due on or before June 9, 2025.

ED Comment Request: Pathways to Partnerships Program Evaluation. Comments are due on or before June 16, 2025.

NSF Grant Noice: Fire Science Innovations through Research and Education. Applications due on or before June 20, 2025.

ACF Comment Request: Formative Data Collections for ACF Program Support.  Comments due on or before June  27, 2025.

ACF Comment Request: Head Start Program Information Report. Comments due on or before July 7, 2025.

ED Comment Request: Streamlined Clearance Process for Discretionary Grants. Comments due on or before July 7, 2025.

ED Grant Notice: Applications for New Awards; Opportunity Scholarship Program. Applications due on or before July 7, 2025.

Children and Families Administration Comment Request: Head Start Grant Application. Comments are due on or before July 14, 2025.

DOD Grant Notice: Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI). Applications due on or before September 5, 2025.

NSF Grant Notice: Applied Mathematics. Applications due on or before November 17, 2025.

USDA Notice: Child and Adult Care Food Program: Rescission of Obsolete Data Collection Requirements

ETA: Notice: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) 2025 Lower Living Standard Income Level (LLSIL)

ED Comment Request: 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). Comments due on or before June 13, 2025.

DOL Notice: Standard Job Corps Contractor Information Gathering; Correction.