RAMC Washington Wrap Up – February 6, 2026

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

CONGRESS

The Federal government ended a partial shutdown after Congress passed and the President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The legislation provides full-year funding for five appropriations bills through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, including the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) appropriations bill. The Act includes a separate two-week continuing resolution for U.S. Department of Homeland Security appropriations.

By a 45 to 47 vote, S.3627, the Pregnant Students’ Rights Act, failed to pass in the Senate.

ADMINISTRATION

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced upcoming negotiated rulemaking sessions to develop proposed regulatory changes to accreditation requirements impacting institutions of higher education that participate in Federal student aid programs. Stakeholders may submit nominations for negotiators by February 26, 2026.

ED issued proposed rules for public comment regarding Federal student loan repayment and borrowing under the graduate and Parent PLUS Federal student loan programs. These proposed regulations stem from the negotiated rulemaking sessions conducted by the Reimaging and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee last year. The public may comment on these regulations through March 2, 2026.

ED and the U.S. Department of Labor released guidance to support States in updating their Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act State Plans.

AmeriCorps released its 2026-2030 Strategic Plan for public input.

COURTS

ED submitted a request to a Federal court to extend the deadline for evaluating student applications for loan forgiveness based on fraud claims.

A Federal district court judge extended a temporary order blocking the Administration from freezing funds under the Child Care Development Block Grant, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and Social Services Block Grant programs for five States.

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

4-Year Institutions Eye Programs Eligible for Workforce Pell [Inside Higher Ed]

Princeton moves to tighten budgets as investment markets slow [Higher Ed Dive]

College admissions offices take on a new role: Coaxing accepted students to show up [The Hechinger Report]

Post–Affirmative Action, Black and Hispanic Enrollment Increased at Flagships [Inside Higher Ed]

Trump calls for $1B from Harvard after Times report his admin was backing away from cash demand [The Hill]

Reflections on the Value of an AI-Assisted Textbook [Inside Higher Ed]

Education Department paid laid-off OCR staff $38M while dismissing most complaints [Higher Ed Dive]

California colleges scramble to fill gaps left by federal grant cuts to Latino students [Los Angeles Times]

Federal Government Shuts Down, Again. Here’s What to Know. [Inside Higher Ed]

GAO estimates attempted Education Department layoffs cost at least $28 million [The Hill]

NCAN Report Shows Dramatic Increase in Pell Eligibility Rates [Inside Higher Ed]

Rising Demand for Career Education Prompts College Board to Expand Its Footprint [Education Week]

Accreditors brace for more change under the Trump administration [Higher Ed Dive]

ED Takes Another Step Toward Finalizing Loan Limits [Inside Higher Ed]

The trends, policies and lawsuits that will shape higher ed in 2026 [Higher Ed Dive]

HBCU Experts Look to Solve Leadership Churn [Inside Higher Ed]

4 policy trends that should be on college leaders’ radars in 2026 [Higher Ed Dive]

Education Dept. Accuses San José State of Violating Title IX [Inside Higher Ed]

Trump admin steps back into Native American mascot debate at schools [The Hill]

Will the Classic Learning Test Shake Up College Admissions? [Inside Higher Ed]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor

Speaker of the House
Press Release: Speaker Johnson on Ending Government Shutdown: Once Again, Republicans Got the Job Done

House Majority Leader
Press Release: The Leader’s Floor Lookout: Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Senate Majority Leader
Press Release: Thune Discusses Republicans’ Commitment to Regular Order Appropriations

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Press Release: Chair Cassidy Delivers Remarks During Hearing on Modernizing NIH, Bringing Lifesaving Cures to American Families

House Committee on Education and Workforce
Press Release: Owens to Hold Hearing on Runaway College Spending — Tomorrow at 10:15 AM

Blog: Hearing Recap: “Building an AI-Ready America: Adopting AI at Work”

Press Release: HELP Ranking Member DeSaulnier Remarks on Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace

Statements and Webcast from Yesterday’s Subcommittee Hearing on “Building an AI-Ready America: Adopting AI at Work”

February 4: Subcommittee Hearing on “Runaway College Spending Meets the Working Families Tax Cuts”
Witnesses: Beth Akers, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute; Geoffrey Landward, Commissioner, Utah System of Higher Education; Julie Margetta Morgan, President, The Century Foundation; Raymond Rodrigues, Chancellor, State University System of Florida.
2175 Rayburn and via webcast.
10:15 a.m. EST

Senate Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: Congress Approves FY 2026 Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Bill

Press Release: Senator Collins’ Statement on Congress Passing Five-Bill Appropriations Package

House Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: House Repasses Five Full-Year Funding Bills, Restores Government Stability

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 Majority Leader
Press Release: Committee Cliff Notes: Weekly Preview – Week of February 2, 2026

Press Release: The Leader’s Floor Lookout: Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Senate Majority Leader
Press Release: Thune on the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Work

Senate Minority Leader
Press Release: Leader Schumer Says SAVE Act Will Be Dead on Arrival in the Senate and Warns of Another GOP Shutdown

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Press Release: NEWS: New GAO Report Finds Trump Admin Wasted up to $38 Million While Weakening Civil Rights for Students

House Committee on Education and Workforce
Press Release: Walberg, Owens Examine Utah’s Private Equity Deal and the Broader Implications for College Sports

Press Release: Allen to Hold Hearing on Adopting AI at Work — Tomorrow at 10:15 AM

February 3: Subcommittee Hearing on “Building an AI-Ready America: Adopting AI at Work”
Witnesses: Bradford Kelley, Shareholder, Littler Mendelson, P.C.; Revana Sharfuddin, Research Fellow, Mercatus Center at George Mason University; Tanya Goldman, Fellow, Workshop; David Walton, Partner, Founder and Co-Chair of AI, Data, and Analytics Group, Fisher Phillips.
2175 Rayburn and via webcast.
10:15 a.m. EST

House Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: Cole Testifies at Rules Committee on the Senate Amendment to H.R. 7148

Senate Committee on the Budget
Press Release: Republicans Again Block Merkley’s Push to Permanently Ban Pocket Rescissions

House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Press Release: ICYMI: Chairman Guthrie Essay – Dominance, Deployment, and Safeguards: The Path for American AI Leadership

House Committee on Rules
Press Release: Foxx Opening Remarks on Government Funding, H.J. Res. 142, Contempt Resolutions, & H.R. 4090

Speaker of the House
Press Release: Speaker Johnson Joins Meet the Press and Fox News Sunday

House Minority Leader
Press Release: Leader Jeffries on ABC: “The Department of Homeland Security Needs to be Dramatically Reformed”

Senate Minority Leader
Press Release: At Press Conference Following Passage of Appropriations Package, Leader Schumer Calls on Senate Republicans to Work with Democrats to Rein in ICE

House Committee on Education and Workforce
Press Release: @EdWorkforceCmte Announces Field Hearing on Disability Employment in Wisconsin

Senate Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: Senator Collins’ Statement on Senate Passage of Five-Bill FY26 Funding Package

Press Release: Senate Passes Five Funding Bills, Strips Out DHS Bill to Ensure Negotiations Proceed to Rein in ICE and CBP

Press Release: Senator Murray Remarks at Press Conference Following Senate Vote to Pass Five Funding Bills While Splitting Off DHS Bill

Press Release: Senator Murray Floor Remarks on Senate Passage of Five More Funding Bills

Senate Committee on the Budget
Press Release: Republicans Again Block Merkley’s Push to Permanently Ban Pocket Rescissions

Speaker of the House
Press Release: Bigger Paychecks, Bigger Tax Refunds, and a Stronger Start for Every Child

House Committee on Education and Workforce
Press Release: NEW: Government Watch Dog Report Reveals Students with Disabilities Still Face Challenges to Access Necessary Support

House Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: DeLauro Statement on Court Ordering OMB to Stop Concealing Government Spending Information Required by Law to be Public

Senate Minority Leader
Press Release: Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Urging Republicans To Work With Democrats To Rein In ICE, Overhaul DHS Funding, And Pass The Remaining Appropriations Bills

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
Press Release: ICYMI: Chair Cassidy on Democrats Blocking Legislation Empowering Pregnant College Students

Press Release: Chair Cassidy Delivers Remarks During Hearing on Empowering Families, Increasing Education Options

Press Release: Sanders Releases New Report Detailing How Trump’s Plan to Privatize Public Education Hurts Students

Statements and Webcast from Yesterday’s Full Committee Hearing on Empowering Families Through Educational Choice in America.

House Committee on Education and Workforce
Press Release: Owens Announces Hearing on Runaway College Spending

Press Release: Walberg Releases Documents Alleging Evanston Mayor Endangered Jewish Students’ Safety to “Shore Up…Progressive Credentials”

Press Release: Congressional Democrats Slam Trump for Weaponizing the Federal Government, Harming Children, Seniors, and Working Families

Senate Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: Senator Murray Floor Remarks on Horrific Shooting of Alex Pretti and the Imperative for Republicans to Work with Democrats to Rein in ICE and CBP and Quickly Pass Other Five Funding Bills to Avert an Unnecessary Shutdown

House Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: FY26 Deliverables: Defending the Nation. Rebuilding America. Strengthening Communities.

Press Release: House Completes FY26 Funding While Senate Democrats Threaten Bipartisan Deal They Helped Negotiate

House Committee on Small Business
Press Release: Committee on Small Business Announces February Hearing Schedule

Department of Education and the Administration

White House Press Release: Congressional Bill H.R. 7148 Signed into Law

ED Blog: Expanding Meaningful School Choice Through CTE and Work-Based Learning

DOL Press Release: US Department of Labor Honors More than 880 Employers Committed to Veterans’ Employment with 2025 HIRE Vets Medallion Awards

GAO Report: Department of Education: Full Costs and Savings Estimate Needed for Reduction-in-Force and Restructuring of the Office for Civil Rights

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Issues Proposed Rule to Make Higher Education More Affordable and Simplify Student Loan Repayment

White House Press Release: National School Choice Week, 2026

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Finds San José State University Violated Title IX

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Finds California Department of Education Violated Federal Law by Hiding Students’ “Gender Transitions” from Parents

DOL Press Release: US Department Labor, Arkansas announce American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund portal now accepting applications

DOL Press Release: US Department of Labor announces 2026 National Apprenticeship Week set for April 26-May 2

GAO Report: Students with Disabilities: Assistive Technology Challenges and Resources in Selected School Districts and Schools

Legislative Movement in Congress

H.R.980 — Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement Act of 2025
Sponsor: Van Orden, Derrick [Rep.-R-WI-3] (Introduced 02/05/2025) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs | Senate – Veterans’ Affairs
Committee Report: H. Rept. 119-228
Latest Action: Senate – 02/03/2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

H.R.7327 — To require the Secretary of Education to establish a pilot program to award grants to eligible organizations to carry out activities related to book access, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Foushee, Valerie P. [Rep.-D-NC-4] (Introduced 02/03/2026) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and Workforce
Latest Action: House – 02/03/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

H.Res.1033 — Expressing support for the designation of the week beginning February 2, 2026, as “National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week”.
Sponsor: Davids, Sharice [Rep.-D-KS-3] (Introduced 02/03/2026) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform
Latest Action: House – 02/03/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
H.R.980 — Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement Act of 2025
Sponsor: Van Orden, Derrick [Rep.-R-WI-3] (Introduced 02/05/2025) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Action: House – 02/02/2026 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

H.R.1458 — VETS Opportunity Act of 2025
Sponsor: Ciscomani, Juan [Rep.-R-AZ-6] (Introduced 02/21/2025) Cosponsors: (10)
Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Action: House – 02/02/2026 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

H.R.7147 — Making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Cole, Tom [Rep.-R-OK-4] (Introduced 01/20/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Appropriations; Budget
Latest Action: Senate – 02/02/2026 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 311.

S.3757 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish fair and consistent eligibility requirements for graduate medical schools operating outside the United States and Canada.
Sponsor: Durbin, Richard J. [Sen.-D-IL] (Introduced 02/02/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 02/02/2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
H.R.7147 — Making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Cole, Tom [Rep.-R-OK-4] (Introduced 01/20/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Appropriations; Budget
Latest Action: Senate – 01/30/2026 Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

H.R.7148 — Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026
Sponsor: Cole, Tom [Rep.-R-OK-4] (Introduced 01/20/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Appropriations; Budget; Ways and Means
Latest Action: Senate – 01/30/2026 Passed Senate, under the order of 1/30/2026, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, with amendments by Yea-Nay Vote. 71 – 29. Record Vote Number: 20.

H.R.7294 — To study the impacts of artificial intelligence technology with respect to the security of telecommunications networks, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Menendez, Robert [Rep.-D-NJ-8] (Introduced 01/30/2026) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
Latest Action: House – 01/30/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

H.R.7295 — Comprehensive Congressional Budget Act of 2026
Sponsor: Moore, Blake D. [Rep.-R-UT-1] (Introduced 01/30/2026) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Rules; Budget
Latest Action: House – 01/30/2026 Referred to the Committee on Rules, 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.R.7302 — To establish the Digital Literacy and Equity Commission, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Thanedar, Shri [Rep.-D-MI-13] (Introduced 01/30/2026) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
Latest Action: House – 01/30/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

H.R.7148 — Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026
Sponsor: Cole, Tom [Rep.-R-OK-4] (Introduced 01/20/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Appropriations; Budget; Ways and Means
Latest Action: Senate – 01/29/2026 Motion by Senator Thune to reconsider the vote by which cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure was not invoked (Record Vote No. 13) entered in Senate.

S.3747 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to recognize students who have completed secondary school education in a home school setting as high school graduates, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Moody, Ashley [Sen.-R-FL] (Introduced 01/29/2026) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action: Senate – 01/29/2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

H.R.7148 — Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026
Sponsor: Cole, Tom [Rep.-R-OK-4] (Introduced 01/20/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Appropriations; Budget; Ways and Means
Latest Action: Senate – 01/28/2026 Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate.

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices

ETA Comment Request: Workforce Information Grants to States. Comments due on or before April 6, 2026.

BLS Comment Request: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: National Compensation Survey. Comments due on or before March 5, 2026.

OFR Notice: Publication Procedures for Federal Register Documents During a Funding Hiatus

HHS Comment Request: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance. Comments due on or before February 20, 2026.

IMLS Comment Request: 2027-2029 IMLS Grant Application Forms. Comments due on or before April 4, 2026.

ED NPRM: Reimagining and Improving Student Education. Comments are due on or before March 2, 2026.

ED Comment Request: FERPA and PPRA E-Complaint Forms. Comments are due on or before March 31, 2026.

ED Comment Request: Form for Maintenance of Effort Waiver Requests. Comments are due on or before March 2, 2026.

ACF Comment Request: Head Start Program Information Report. Comments due on or before March 2, 2026.

Today’s Federal Register.