E-Update for June 16, 2017

Highlights:

• This week, Delaware, Nevada, and New Mexico received feedback from the U.S. Department of Education (USED) on their Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) consolidated state plans.
• On June 15, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to promote apprenticeships and effective workforce development programs and reduce regulatory burdens for these programs.
• On June 14, USED Secretary DeVos announced that the Department will establish rulemaking committees on Borrower Defense to Repayment and Gainful Employment Negotiated Rulemaking regulations. The Department is also postponing the effective date of the Obama Administration’s borrower defense regulations due to pending litigation.

Every Student Succeeds Act

USED Provides Feedback on Three ESSA Consolidated State Plans: This week, Delaware, Nevada, and New Mexico received feedback from the U.S. Department of Education (USED) on their Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) consolidated state plans. USED plans to provide feedback on the remaining 14 state plans in the coming weeks. Delaware feedback is available here, Nevada feedback here, and New Mexico feedback here.

Congress:

Members Send Letter Regarding Student Loan Servicing Contract Process to USED Secretary DeVos: Over 150 members, led by Reps. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), and Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), sent a letter to USED Secretary Betsy DeVos regarding concerns about USED’s decision to change the student loan servicing contract procurement process. The members also expressed reservations regarding USED Secretary DeVos’s decision to choose a single company for federal student loan servicing. The press release can be found here.
June 12, 2017

Senate:

Senator Hatch Calls for Feedback on Tax Reform: Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) called on tax stakeholders to provide ideas, proposals, and feedback on how to improve the American tax system.
June 16, 2017

LHHS Holds Hearing on FY2018 HHS Budget Request: The Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the FY2018 President’s budget request for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), during which HHS Secretary Tom Price testified. HHS Secretary Tom Price discussed the Administration’s plan to reduce spending for various programs, while Subcommittee Chairman Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Ranking Member Murray expressed concern about the feasibility of the proposed cuts. Chairman of the Senate LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee Roy Blunt’s (R-MO) statement can be found here and Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee Patrick Leahy’s (D-VT) statement here.
June 15, 2017

Senate Finance Committee Holds Markup Considering HHS Nominee: The Senate Finance Committee held a markup to consider the nomination of Eric Hargan to serve as Deputy Secretary of HHS. During the hearing, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) highlighted Mr. Hargan’s work ethic and previous experience at HHS, while Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the process to reform healthcare. Chairman Hatch’s statement can be found here and Ranking Member Wyden’s statement here.
June 14, 2017

House:

House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee Holds Hearing on WIOA: The House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing entitled, “Helping Americans Get Back to Work: Implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.” The hearing focused on the need for timely implementation of the law and the success of workforce development so far. Chairman Guthrie’s statement can be found here.
June 15, 2017

Chairwoman Foxx Sends Letter to USED Secretary DeVos on FSA COO: Chairwoman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee Virginia Foxx (R-NC) sent a letter to USED Secretary Betsy DeVos regarding the resignation of James Runcie, chief operating officer of the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA). In the letter, the Chairwoman emphasized the importance of installing a strong, accountable leader to address the challenges faced by the office. The letter can be found here.
June 9, 2017

Administration:

White House:

President Trump Signs EO Promoting Apprenticeships: President Donald Trump signed an executive order to promote apprenticeships and effective workforce development programs and reduce regulatory burdens for these programs. In preparation for this announcement, President Trump held a workforce development roundtable discussion focused on the importance of vocational training and visited Waukesha County Technical College in Wisconsin. The President’s remarks can be found here. House Education and the Workforce Chairwoman Foxx’s statement can be found here. President Trump’s roundtable remarks are available here. Ranking Member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee Bobby Scott’s (D-VA) statement can be found here.
June 15, 2017

U.S. Department of Education (USED):

USED Secretary DeVos Announces Creation of Negotiated Rulemaking Committees: USED Secretary DeVos announced that the Department will establish rulemaking committees on Borrower Defense to Repayment and Gainful Employment regulations. The Department is also postponing the effective date of the Obama Administration’s borrower defense regulations due to pending litigation. Regarding the decision, USED Secretary DeVos stated, “It’s time for a regulatory reset. It is the Department’s aim, and this Administration’s commitment, to protect students from predatory practices while also providing clear, fair and balanced rules for colleges and universities to follow.” Public hearings to discuss the rulemaking agenda will take place on July 10 and 12. Comments can also be submitted now on the topics for consideration.
June 14, 2017

• On June 8, Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter to USED Secretary DeVos asking her not to delay the borrower defense rule. The press release is available here and the letter here.

National Charter Schools Conference Keynote Address Delivered by USED Secretary DeVos: USED Secretary DeVos delivered the key note address at the National Charter Schools Conference. During her speech, the Secretary highlighted her support for public charter schools as well as other forms of school choice. The Secretary also emphasized the importance of allowing for the flexibility for innovation and allowing families to choose what is best for their children.
June 13, 2017

Upcoming Events:

• On June 22, the House Education and the Workforce Committee will hold a hearing entitled, “Student Safety in the Job Corps Program” at 10:00 am. More information is available here.
• POSTPONED: On June 20, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee planned to hold a hearing entitled, “Free Speech on College Campuses.” More information is available here.

Legislation:

S. 1356
Sponsor: Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK)
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the use of Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to pursue independent study programs at certain educational institutions that are not institutions of higher learning, and for other purposes.