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

CONGRESS

Chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee Tim Walberg (R-MI) introduced A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, which reauthorizes and updates the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The related press release can be found here.

ADMINISTRATION

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) released the materials for its upcoming Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) negotiated rulemaking session, which will be held next week.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled “Urgent National Action to Save College Sports.”

ED and the U.S. Department of Labor announced the first grant competitions under the Elementary and Secondary Education interagency agreement.

ED’s Office for Civil Rights rescinded provisions of Title IX resolution agreements with five school districts and one college regarding discrimination on the basis of gender identity.

COURTS

A district court judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Administration’s expanded admissions data collection for public universities in the 17 plaintiff States. In a separate ruling, the judge also extended the deadline for private institutions represented by several associations, pushing their compliance deadlines to mid-April.

The American Library Association and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees reached a settlement in ALA et al. v. Keith Sonderling et al., a case regarding the Administration’s efforts to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Relatedly, the Administration withdrew its appeal of Rhode Island v. Trump.

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

Law Student Disciplined for ‘Celebrating’ Charlie Kirk’s Death Sues Texas Tech [Inside Higher Ed]

More than a quarter of private colleges are at risk of closing, new projection shows [The Hechinger Report]

After Uncertainty, Maine’s Free College Program Is Here to Stay [Inside Higher Ed]

Ed. Dept. Moves to Shutter Its Office for English Learners [Education Week]

In Admissions Data Legal Fight, Colleges Want Protection From Punishment [Inside Higher Ed]

Universities pressured to strip names of those who appear in the Epstein files from campus buildings [The Los Angeles Times]

Donations to colleges hold steady amid higher ed disruption [Higher Ed Dive]

More than a quarter of private colleges are at risk of closing, a new projection shows [NPR]

Student Visa Refusals Reached High of 35% Last Year [Inside Higher Ed]
Shorelight
Report: “Beyond the Interview: A Decade of Student Visa Denials and What Comes Next”

As AI pushes students to reconsider majors, universities struggle to adapt [The Hill]

Rescinding Title IX Agreements Risks Further Fracturing Trump–Higher Ed Relationship [Inside Higher Ed]

Iowa State plans to cut or merge 23 programs after mandated review [Higher Ed Dive]

How Colleges Want to Tweak Workforce Pell Regs [Inside Higher Ed]

The Trump Administration Has Abandoned Its Fight to Cap Overhead Research Costs at 15% [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Making Graduate Admissions International Student–Friendly [Inside Higher Ed]

Renovation backlog for college facilities hits new highs [Higher Ed Dive]

Per-student state funding for higher ed dips for first time in years [Higher Ed Dive]

Test-Optional Admits Don’t Feel Underqualified [Inside Higher Ed]

Dozens more colleges get delay in submitting race and sex admissions data [Higher Ed Dive]

Colleges cut spending, raise funds as new loan limits for parents loom [The Washington Post]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor

House Committee on Education and Workforce
Press Release: Mackenzie to Hold Hearing on Understanding AI’s Economic Impact on Workers and Employers — Tomorrow at 10:15

April 15: Subcommittee Hearing on “Building an AI-Ready America: Understanding AI’s Economic Impact on Workers and Employers”
Witnesses TBA
10:15 a.m. EST
2175 Rayburn and via webcast.

April 17: Full Committee Hearing on “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Health and Human Services”
Witnesses: The Honorable Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
9:00 a.m. EST
2175 Rayburn and via webcast.

House Committee on Appropriations
April 16: Subcommittee Hearing on “Budget Hearing – Department of Health and Human Services”
Witnesses: The Honorable Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
2:00 p.m. EST
2358-C Rayburn and via webcast.

Senate Committee on the Budget
April 16: Full Committee Hearing on “The President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request”
Witness: Russell Vought, Director, U.S. Office of Management and Budget
10:00 a.m. EST
608 Dirksen and via webcast.

House Committee on the Budget
April 15: Full Committee Hearing on “The President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request”
Witness: Russell Vought, Director, U.S. Office of Management and Budget
10:15 a.m. EST
210 Cannon and via webcast.

House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
April 15: Subcommittee Hearing on “The State of Scientific Publishing: Assessing Trends, Emerging Issues, and Policy Considerations”
Witnesses: Mr. Carl Maxwell, Senior Vice President, Public Policy, Association of American Publishers; Ms. Kate Travis, Managing Editor, Retraction Watch; Dr. Jason Owen-Smith, Executive Director, Institute for Research on Innovation & Science, University of Michigan
10:00 a.m. EST
2318 Rayburn House Office Building

House Committee on Ways and Means
April 16: Full Committee Hearing with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Witness: The Honorable Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
1100 Longworth and via webcast

House Committee on Small Business
April 15: Full Committee Hearing on “Lower Taxes, Stronger Main Street: The Benefits of the Working Families Tax Cuts”
Witnesses TBA
2360 Rayburn and via webcast

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
April 15: Subcommittee Hearing on “Fraud Prevention: Understanding Fraud in Federally Funded Programs Run by the States”
Witnesses TBA
10:00 a.m. EST
Rayburn 2154 and via webcast

House Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: Cole Releases Fiscal Year 2027 Markup Schedule

House Committee on Education and Workforce
Press Release: Walberg Announces Hearing on Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Health and Human Services

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Press Release: NEXT WEEK: Chairman Cassidy to Host Roundtable with Parents to Improve Child Literacy, Support Students with Dyslexia

House Committee on Education and the Workforce
Press Release: Mackenzie Announces Hearing on Understanding AI’s Economic Impact on Workers and Employers

Press Release: Ranking Member Scott Pushes ED to Protect Students in Workforce Pell Expansion

Department of Education and the Administration

IES Blog: Re-Imagining IES, Continued

DOL Press Release: US Department of Labor announces availability of $85M in grant funding to support Registered Apprenticeship expansion, modernization

ED Press Release: Victories for American Taxpayers: Exposing COVID-Era Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in Federal Education Programs

ED Press Release: Victories for Higher Education: Ending Gender Extremism and Cutting Underused Programs

White House Press Release: Sequestration Order for Fiscal Year 2027 Pursuant to Section 251a of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, As Amended

ED Press Release: U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Labor Announce First Grant Competitions Under Elementary and Secondary Education Partnership

DOL Press Release: US Department of Education and US Department of Labor announce first grant competitions under elementary and secondary education partnership

Legislative Movement in Congress

H.R.8263 — To establish an Educational Equity Challenge Grant program administered by the Department of Education.
Sponsor: Hayes, Jahana [Rep.-D-CT-5] (Introduced 04/14/2026) Cosponsors: (7)
Committees: House – Education and Workforce
Latest Action: House – 04/14/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Press Release: Hayes, Warren Introduce Bill to Address Students Emotional, Mental, and Physical Health

H.R.8264 — To establish the Federal Clearinghouse on Grant Opportunities for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Hill, J. French [Rep.-R-AR-2] (Introduced 04/14/2026) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Education and Workforce
Latest Action: House – 04/14/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Press Release: Release: Hill, Adams, Mccormick, And Figures Introduce HBCU Research Capacity Act To Expand Access To Federal Research Funding

H.R.8272 — To classify qualified locum tenens professionals and advanced care practitioners as independent contractors for the purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and the National Labor Relations Act.
Sponsor: Owens, Burgess [Rep.-R-UT-4] (Introduced 04/14/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Workforce
Latest Action: House – 04/14/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

H.R.8279 — To expand the definition of institution of higher education in the Higher Education Act of 1965 with respect to certain graduate medical schools located outside of the United States.
Sponsor: Suozzi, Thomas R. [Rep.-D-NY-3] (Introduced 04/14/2026) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and Workforce
Latest Action: House – 04/14/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

H.R.8235 — To require certain libraries to maintain a diverse collection of books, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Pressley, Ayanna [Rep.-D-MA-7] (Introduced 04/09/2026) Cosponsors: (18)
Committees: House – Education and Workforce; Judiciary
Latest Action: House – 04/09/2026 Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.

H.R.8246 — To allow certain students certain students, including those who have a student aid index equal to or less than zero, to qualify for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.
Sponsor: Williams, Nikema [Rep.-D-GA-5] (Introduced 04/09/2026) Cosponsors: (15)
Committees: House – Agriculture
Latest Action: House – 04/09/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Press Release: Congresswomen Nikema Williams, Hayes Fighting Food Insecurity for College Students

H.J.Res.155 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to “William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program”.
Sponsor: Courtney, Joe [Rep.-D-CT-2] (Introduced 04/09/2026) Cosponsors: (56)
Committees: House – Education and Workforce
Latest Action: House – 04/09/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices

ED Comment Request: Foreign Gifts and Contracts Disclosures. Comments due on or before June 15, 2026.

ED Notice: Final Priority and Definitions-Secretary’s Supplemental Priority and Definitions on Advancing Artificial Intelligence in Education

ED Notice: Final Priority and Definitions-Secretary’s Supplemental Priority and Definitions on Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness

BLS Comment Request: Report on Occupational Employment and Wages. Comments due on or before May 13, 2026.

ED Comment Request: Application for Approval To Participate in Federal Student Aid Programs. Comments due on or before June 9, 2026.

ED Comment Request: Application Package for Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions (HBGI) (1894-0001). Comments due on or before May 11, 2026.

ED Comment Request: Prison Education Program Application. Comments due on or before June 9, 2026.

ED Grant Notice: Notice Announcing Innovative Approaches to Literacy Program Competition. Applications due on or before June 9, 2026.

CFA Notice: Notice of Meeting.

ED Comment Request: Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Application. Comments due on or before June 8, 2026.

ED Comment Request: Native American Language (NAL@ED) Application Package (1894-0001). Comments due on or before May 11, 2026.

ED Comment Request: William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (Direct Loan Program) Promissory Notes and Related Forms. Comments due on or before June 8, 2026.

IMLS Comment Request: 2027-2029 IMLS Grant Application Forms. Comments due on or before May 10, 2026.

EOP Presidential Document: Urgent National Action To Save College Sports.

Today’s Federal Register.