The information covered below is from November 14, 2025, through December 4, 2025.

Highlights:

• On November 18, the U.S. Department of Education (USED) announced that it has entered into six interagency agreements to transfer significant functions and funds out of USED to the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, State, and Interior.
• On November 25, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service issued a request for comments on the implementation of the new education tax credit program established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Comments are due by December 26, 2025.
• On December 2, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade held a hearing to examine a series of 19 bills aimed at improving protections for children and teens online, key among them the “Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act,” known as COPPA 2.0, “Kids Online Safety Act,” known as KOSA.

Administration

White House:

Michael and Susan Dell donate $6.25 billion to Trump Accounts: On December 2, the White House announced that philanthropists Michael and Susan Dell donated $6.25 billion to Trump Accounts, which were created in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). OBBBA creates a new type of tax-preferred savings account (similar to an IRA) to allow contributions up to $5,000 annually (adjusted to inflation after 2027) until the beneficiary is age 18. Additionally, the federal government will contribute $1,000 to these accounts under a new temporary pilot program for children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, as a one-time seed contribution. The Dell’s gift will expand the reach of the program to children who wouldn’t qualify for the federal contribution by providing the first 25 million American children age 10 and under living in ZIP codes with median incomes below $150,000 with an additional $250.

White House hosts roundtables on strengthening public trust in higher education: On November 19, the White House hosted a roundtable titled, “Administrative Bloat and Low-Value Programs: How U.S. Universities are Failing American Families and How They Can Reform,” in which USED Secretary McMahon and Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent participated. During the roundtable, Secretary McMahon and Under Secretary Kent discussed the challenges students and families face under America’s outdated higher education system. They also raised during the roundtable the Administration’s recently-proposed Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, which lays out a set of operating principles that universities would agree to in exchange for preferential access to federal funds; however, several higher education institutions initially invited to sign the Compact declined. Among the roundtable participants were university leaders and education advocates which have signaled an alignment with the Trump Administration’s higher education policies, including Casey Sacks, President of BridgeValley Community and Technical College and Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Education; Erin Valdez, Executive Director of the Incubator of the Center for Education and Public Service at the University of Austin and Director of Education and Workforce Policy at the Cicero Institute; Michael Bettersworth, Chief Marketing Officer at Texas State Technical College; Raymond “Ray” Rodrigues, Chancellor of the State University System of Florida; and Kimberly Fletcher, President of Moms for America.

The White House hosted a second roundtable on December 3, titled, “Biased Professors, Woke Administrators, and the End of Free Inquiry on U.S. Campuses.” USED Secretary McMahon asserted that “activist-driven ideologies have reshaped universities both ideologically and administratively,” and specifically named, “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies and the woke monoculture that now permeates academic life.” Participants of the second roundtable included: Matthew Spalding, Vice President of Washington Operations and Dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College and New College of Florida board member; Nicole Neily, President and Founder of Defending Education; Dr. Christopher Schorr, Director of the America First Policy Institute’s Higher Education Reform Initiative; Trevor Tobey, Rice University Student Body President; Allie Coghan, Former University of Wyoming Student; Brette Powell, Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the Office of Public Liaison; and Karalee Geis, White House Office of Public Liaison.

Public Charge rule proposed: On November 19, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed reviving and updating a policy that was in place before the Biden Administration undid it in 2022. The “public charge” rule penalizes lawfully present immigrants for using certain federal benefits, including Medicaid and food assistance. According to the Administration, the proposed rule would align with “long-standing policy” that immigrants “should be self-reliant and government benefits should not incentivize immigration.” Under the rule, DHS could deny permanent residency to immigrants who receive or are expected to receive such benefits. Critics warn the policy could worsen public health outcomes, as immigrants may avoid preventive care, straining hospitals and complicating public health efforts. Although the Administration estimates annual savings of nearly $9 billion from reinstating the public charge rule, it also acknowledges potential financial losses for healthcare providers and medical supply companies. Public comments on the proposed rule must be submitted by December 19, 2025. 

U.S. Department of Education (USED):

Trump Administration transfers multiple functions out of USED: On November 18, USED announced that it has entered into six interagency agreements (IAA) to transfer significant functions and funds out of USED to the U.S. Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), State, and Interior. These agreements join the first IAA, announced in July 2025 (fact sheet can be found here), that transferred most of the administration and funding of career and technical education and adult education and family literacy programs to the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) within DOL. The seven IAAs affect over 80 federal grant programs that are collectively responsible for nearly $34 billion in education funding. Under the November 18 announcement, the following provides more detailed information about the USED offices and programs affected by the IAAs:

• K-12 education programs, through 13 formula and 14 competitive grant programs (including most major formula -- e.g., Title I -- and competitive grants authorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act) in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), are moved to the DOL’s ETA. Programs affected can be found in this fact sheet. The IAA is here.
• Postsecondary programs in the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) are moved to the DOL’s ETA. Programs affected can be found in this fact sheet. The IAA is here.
• National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA), housed in OPE, is moved to HHS. More information can be found in this fact sheet. The IAA is here.
• Child Care Access Means Parents in School Partnership (CCAMPIS), housed in OPE, is moved to HHS’s Administration for Children and Families (ACF). More information can be found in this fact sheet. The IAA is here.
• International and foreign language education programs, housed in OPE, are moved to the U.S. Department of State. Programs affected can be found in this fact sheet. The IAA is here.
• Indian education programs, housed across USED’s OESE, OPE, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), are moved to the U.S. Department of Interior. Programs affected can be found in this fact sheet. The IAA is here.

Additional IAAs could be announced transferring other USED functions and funds. U.S. Secretary of Education McMahon recently stated in a December 2 Cabinet meeting that, “We'll be moving other programs, but these are proof of concept.” (Note: POLITICO subscription required to view this article). She went on to say, “Let's make sure they're working and working smoothly before we ask Congress to codify these permanent moves.” Secretary McMahon similarly wrote in a column for USA Today the Administration’s moves to “aggressively reduc[e] and reform the federal education bureaucracy… are more than a proof of concept; they are the first step toward congressional legislation that will make these changes permanent.”

Among the remaining offices, the following have previously been highlighted by the Administration as potential targets for IAAs: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Office for Civil Rights, Federal Student Aid, and Institute of Education Sciences. Specifically, ABC News reported that a senior department official noted on November 18, that, “OCR [Office of Civil Rights] is not one of the IAAs that we are announcing today…OCR, just as with [Offices of Special Education Programs and the Rehabilitative Services Administration] and [Federal Student Aid], we are exploring options and the best plans for the future."

For more information on the IAAs, see our November 20 Alert and our recent Deep Dive, “Beyond ‘The Maximum Extent Permitted By Law’.”

Transfers of USED programs to other agencies challenged in court: On November 25, plaintiffs in one of the lawsuits challenging the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle USED announced that they have filed an amended complaint that folds into their case both factual assertions and legal claims related to the recent IAAs, including that the IAAs both violate authorizing and appropriations statutes and exceed the Secretary’s authority to delegate her responsibilities. This lawsuit, along with a consolidated suit brought by a group of states, is the same case that earlier this year reached the U.S. Supreme Court on the question of whether the USED reduction-in-force and office reorganization announced in March 2025 could proceed while the litigation continued (the Supreme Court said they could). Those lawsuits are in the discovery process and have not yet reached the point where parties might move for summary judgement.

Treasury issues request for comments on One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) education tax credit program: On November 25, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a request for comments on the implementation of the new education tax credit program established under OBBBA. Comments are due by December 26, 2025, and can be submitted here.

The new tax credit applies to individuals’ contributions (up to $1,700 per year) to non-profit Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) that fund scholarships for qualified educational expenses for eligible elementary and secondary students enrolled in a public, private, or religious school. Treasury’s anticipated guidance and/or regulations are expected to shape how the program will operate in practice and may be a deciding factor for states debating whether to participate in the program.

Before initiating a formal rulemaking process for regulations, Treasury announced that it also plans to issue non-binding guidance “regarding issues…on which guidance is most quickly needed.” This includes allowing states to submit “early in 2026” their intent to participate in the program because “potential SGOs may need sufficient time to prepare for the commencement of this new credit in 2027 and assurance that the State in which they are located will elect to participate.”

The request for comments specifically seeks input on several issues relating to SGO requirements and the annual State certification process, including:

• “A participating State’s required annual certification of SGOs within the State that meet the statutory requirements to qualify as an SGO;
• Policies and procedures implemented by electing States to ensure that the required certification is accurate and complete;
• Issues involving single-State organizations, organizations that may fundraise and award scholarships in more than one State, and organizations operating under other fact patterns that may wish to qualify as SGOs; and
• SGOs’ reporting and recordkeeping requirements.”

Throughout the request for comments are statements that state: “The Treasury Department and the IRS anticipate that the forthcoming proposed regulations would…” and then include an articulation of the Administration’s current plans for the forthcoming draft regulations. Among these anticipatory statements, a particularly significant one appears on page 8 and declares that:

“The Treasury Department and the IRS anticipate that the forthcoming proposed regulations would provide, consistent with § 25F(g)(1)(A), that the State list must include all organizations located in the State that have requested to be designated as an SGO and that meet the § 25F(c)(5) statutory requirements.”  

This approach would appear to restrict states’ discretion in determining which SGOs appear on their annual list, so long as those organizations meet the few requirements set forth in OBBBA itself. Though not mentioned in this notice, other significant issues that could be addressed in regulations or guidance include, for example, how broadly or narrowly to interpret the list of allowable uses for the scholarships.

USED releases materials in advance of Negotiated Rulemaking to address Workforce Pell and accountability changes as a result of the One Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBBA): On December 4, USED released discussion materials and an agenda for the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee – known as the Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) Committee -- which will address OBBBA’s Workforce Pell and institutional and programmatic accountability provisions. This is the first meeting of the AHEAD Committee, which will take place December 8-12, 2025, and during which the Committee is expected to primarily focus on the changes to the Pell Grant program, including Workforce Pell provisions, in OBBBA. The materials released in advance of the meeting outline the Administration’s proposed plans for implementation of OBBBA, as well as a series of topics for discussion at the meeting. The topics include: (1) Ineligibility for Federal Pell Grants Due to Receipt of Non-Federal Financial Assistance; (2) Workforce Pell Technical and Conforming Changes; (3) Workforce Pell Definitions; (4) Governor Approval of Eligible Workforce Programs; (5) Secretary of Education Approval of Eligible Workforce Programs; (6) Value-Added Earnings Calculation for Workforce Pell; and (7) Losing and Regaining Eligibility for Workforce Pell. The AHEAD Committee will meet again from January 6-9, 2026, and is expected to consider other provisions, including accountability and gainful employment, among other issues.

Administration and Congress recognize 50th Anniversary of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): During the week of December 3, USED and Congressional leaders recognized the 50th Anniversary of IDEA. USED Secretary McMahon, joined by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Assistant Secretary for the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) and Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) Kimberly Richey, visited Winding Creek Elementary School in Stafford, Virginia, to celebrate the landmark legislation’s anniversary. Winding Creek serves students with disabilities – approximately 12.5% of its student population – and Secretary McMahon and Assistant Secretary Richey toured classrooms to observe the specialized supports provided to students.

In Congress, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA) hosted a bipartisan event recognizing IDEA’s anniversary in collaboration with the School Superintendents Association, the Center for Education Reform (CER), Stride, and the National Center for Learning Disabilities. Chair Cassidy discussed proposed legislation to strengthen IDEA and ensure students’ have the resources they need to succeed in the classroom, including S. 3010, the “21st Century Dyslexia Act.” Together with Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Chair Cassidy led the introduction of a Senate resolution recognizing IDEA’s impact on the education of children with disabilities. U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA), Glenn Thompson (R-PA), Hillary Scholten (D-MI), and John James (R-MI) introduced companion legislation in the House.

National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) holds quarterly meeting: On November 20-21, 2025, NAGB held a quarterly meeting to examine the current state of planning for the administration of the 2026 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and the Long-Term Trend (LTT) assessment. Additionally, NAGB members heard from Dr. Matthew Soldner, who serves as Acting Director of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and Acting Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), with an update on the NAEP budget, during which he noted that NCES was in the process of onboarding its first, new NCES staff member with plans to continue to grow the staff before the 2026 NAEP testing window opens on January 26, 2026. Separately, Dr. Soldner also presented on the impact of changes in K-12 education on the NAEP sample. Dr. Amber Northern, a senior advisor to USED Secretary Linda McMahon, provided an update to the board on the progress of a proposed recommendations being developed aimed at restructuring and reshaping IES. During her presentation, Dr. Northern outlined broadly themes from responses that IES received to a notice inviting comments on the future federal role in education research, as well as next steps for the proposed recommendations being developed. As part of the meeting, NAGB members also received testimony on an initiative aimed at producing evidence-based recommendations for a next generation NAEP and learned about an innovative use of AI for large-scale assessment under exploration by the Hawaii Department of Education.

USED Secretary McMahon announces tour on national history: On December 2, USED Secretary Linda McMahon announced the Department’s History Rocks! Trail to Independence Tour in alignment with preparations to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026. During the tour, Secretary McMahon and other education leaders will visit schools in all 50 states to “recognize excellence in civics education and promote a shared understanding of the principles that shaped the country’s founding.” USED’s announcement notes that the History Rocks! Initiative is a “key component” of the Department’s America 250 celebrations, coordinated with the America 250 Civics Education Coalition, a national partnership with the America First Policy Institute, Turning Point USA, Hillsdale College, and more than 50 conservative-leaning national and state organizations.

USED announces new portal for universities to report foreign funding: On December 2, USED notified institutions of higher education of an improved foreign funding reporting portal. Institutions are required to disclose foreign gifts over $250,000 pursuant to Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, and the improved portal’s features include the ability to upload foreign funding disclosures in bulk rather than individually, executive summary visualizations to improve public transparency, and other helpful tools for drafting, reviewing, and submitting reports to the Department.

USED to investigate UC Berkeley under the Clery Act: On November 25, USED announced an investigation under the Clery Act into the University of California-Berkeley’s compliance with campus safety requirements because of the circumstances involving an on-campus protest against a Turning Points USA event on November 10. USED’s Clery investigation follows an announcement by Attorney General Pam Bondi on November 11, regarding a separate investigation of the same protest by the Joint Terrorism Task Force into alleged involvement by Antifa to “intimidate Americans and suppress their free expression and First Amendment rights.” The UC system is already under significant pressure from the Trump Administration, including ongoing litigation over more than $500 million in grant terminations (see our November 20 for more on the recent preliminary injunction in that case). USED’s office of Federal Student Aid will lead the investigation and has requested wide-ranging documents to support an “audit trail” showing for 2022–2025 all incidents of crime, the university police department’s activity logs and daily crime logs, all Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications issued by the university, and more.    

USED Secretary McMahon appoints former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant to the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB): On November 17, USED Secretary McMahon announced the appointment of former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant to NAGB, filling one of two seats designated for state governors from different political parties. Phil Bryant served as Mississippi’s Governor from 2012 to 2020, where he led broad education reforms in early childhood, teacher pay, charter schools, school accountability, special education, career-technical training programs, and established scholarships for Mississippi students pursuing careers as public school teachers. Secretary McMahon also shared that, “During his tenure, he signed Mississippi’s Literacy-Based Promotion Act into law, which kicked off the state's remarkable literacy growth which is aptly known as the ‘Mississippi Miracle.’”

USED announces five appointments to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI): On November 25, USED announced the appointment of five new NACIQI members to a six-year term. NACIQI, which makes recommendations to the USED Secretary on accreditation matters, including the recognition of institutional and programmatic accrediting agencies. The new appointees include:

• Robert Eitel, President of the Defense of Freedom Institute;
• Joshua Figueira, Deputy General Counsel and Managing Director of the Office of Compliance, Risk, and Legal Affairs at Brigham Young University–Idaho;
• Dr. Jay Greene, Senior Research Fellow for the Center of Education Policy at the Heritage Foundation;
• Dr. Steven Taylor, Policy Director and Senior Fellow in Economic Mobility at Stand Together Trust; and
• Emilee Reynolds, student at Western Carolina University

The Trump Administration has shared that it aims to reform the accreditation system. In USED’s announcement, U.S. Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent explicitly drew the connection between these appointees and the Administration’s accreditation agenda, stating that he is confident “these appointees will help realign the accreditation system”—calling the current system “protectionist” and one that “overlook[s] poor student outcomes, contribute[s] to rising college costs and degree inflation, and prioritize[s] divisive DEI standards over the skills students need to compete in the next-generation workforce.” The next NACIQI meeting is December 16, 2025, and more information about that meeting is available here.

USED announces Richard Lucas to serve as Acting Chief Operating Officer of Federal Student Aid: On November 14, USED announced that Richard Lucas will serve as the Acting Chief Operating Officer of Federal Student Aid. Mr. Lucas previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Federal Student Aid. USED’s announcement noted that James Bergeron, who was serving as COO, will continue at the Department as the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Education.

Congress

Senate:

Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Murray leads Senate Democrats in letter to USED regarding  transfer of funds and functions to other agencies: On December 4, Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA),  Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Tammy Baldwin (D-WI); Senate HELP Committee Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT); and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led 32 additional Democratic Senators in sending a letter to USED Secretary McMahon regarding the Department having entered into a series of recent IAAs to transfer core functions of USED to other agencies. The letter asserts that the transfers “are outrageous, illegal, and will jeopardize the funding and support that tens of millions of students, teachers, and families across the country rely on.” The letter further emphasizes that, “Appropriations law prohibits the transfer of funds to another federal agency unless expressly authorized in appropriations law, which it has not done in this case.” Referencing the Department’s citation of the Economy Act as authorization to transfer its responsibilities, the Senators state, “While the Economy Act is routinely used by other federal agencies to enter into IAAs for the procurement of discrete goods and services that a particular agency might have expertise in and authority to provide, such as DOJ’s fingerprinting authority, this authority was never contemplated to allow the transfer of major program functions or entire offices to another agency with the express stated purpose of eventually dismantling the agency or putting the Secretary ‘out of a job.’” The letter demands Secretary McMahon to reverse the transfers.

Senators Booker and Cruz urge corporate support for investments in Trump Accounts: On December 2, Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) sent a letter to the CEOs of Fortune 1000 companies urging them to support child investment accounts created by OBBBA.  In their letter, the Senators praise the accounts as a “once-in-a-generation expansion of economic opportunity…encourag[ing] [CEOS] to join us in delivering on this promise for our country.” Additionally, Senator Booker noted in his press release for the letter that the accounts build off of legislation that he initially proposed to create “American Opportunity Accounts, or ‘Baby Bonds.’” The Senators go on to note in the letter that the “initiative was deliberately designed to allow contributions not only from family, friends, and philanthropists, but also from employers,” and calls on the companies to “match contributions for employees’ families, [invest] in the communities where you operate, or [integrate] these accounts into your philanthropic strategy.

House:

House passes a series of bills to deter foreign influence in elementary and secondary schools: On December 3 and 4, the House passed three bills aimed at deterring foreign influence, specifically the Chinese Communist Party, in K-12 schools.

• H.R. 1005, the “Combating the Lies of Authoritarians in School Systems (CLASS) Act,” passed by a vote of 242-176, and would “prohibit elementary and secondary schools from accepting funds from or entering into contracts with the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party, and for other purposes.” The bill was supported by 212 Republicans and 30 Democrats.
• H.R. 1049, the “Transparency in Reporting of Adversarial Contributions to Education (TRACE) Act,” passed by a vote of 247-166 and would “ensure that parents are aware of foreign influence in their child’s public school.” The bill was supported by 214 Republicans and 33 Democrats.
• H.R. 1069, the “PROTECT Our Kids Act,” passed by a vote of 247-164 and would “prohibit the availability of Federal education funds for elementary and secondary schools that receive direct or indirect support from the Government of the People’s Republic of China.” The bill was supported by 214 Republicans and 33 Democrats.

House Education and Workforce Committee Chair Walberg launches nationwide investigation into antisemitism in K-12 schools: On November 24, House Education and Workforce Committee Chair Tim Walberg (R-MI) launched investigations into three school districts – Berkeley Unified School District, Fairfax County Public Schools, and the School District of Philadelphia – regarding allegations of antisemitism in their schools. In letters to each of the school districts, Chair Walberg cites specific allegations and requests information regarding complaints the districts have received regarding antisemitism and the actions the districts have taken to address them, including disciplinary actions.

House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Scott leads 75 House Democrats in letter on negative impact of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids on K-12 students: On November 25, House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) led 75 House Democrats in a letter to USED Secretary McMahon regarding the negative impact of ICE raids on K-12 students. The letter urged USED “to use all available resources to support schools, students, and states affected by the Trump Administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement actions.” Citing reports of arrests taking place on or near K-12 school campuses, the members state that the raids have “traumatized kids, put new burdens on teachers and administrators, and dramatically altered the school year.”

House Education and Workforce Subcommittee holds hearing on student privacy and parent rights: On December 3, the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood and K-12 Education held a hearing titled, “Safeguarding Student Privacy and Parental Rights: A Review of FERPA and PPRA.” The hearing reviewed the laws governing student privacy and parental rights - the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) and heard from four witnesses: Matt Sharp, Senior Counsel and Director of the Center for Public Policy at the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF); Laura Powell, Founder and President of Californians for Good Governance - a “parental rights” organization; Cody Venzke, Senior Policy Counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU); and Deborah Figliola, a former Secondary Special Education and English School Teacher in the Harrisonburg City Public Schools (VA).

In opening remarks, Subcommittee Chair Kevin Kiley (R-CA) highlighted FERPA as a core law that “guarantees parents access to their child’s education record and ensures that their child’s information will not be shared inappropriately.” Chair Kiley spoke about "respecting the rights of parents” but argued that, “unfortunately, some states and school districts are failing to uphold the protections for parents” contained in FERPA and PPRA by “making it difficult” for parents to access curriculum or student records. He remarked that both FERPA and PPRA “were enacted decades ago with strong bipartisan support,” and said this hearing was an opportunity to “return to that consensus.” In her opening remarks, Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) said that “Parental engagement is crucial to academic success. We all agree on that.” “But,” she continued, “ I expect that this conversation is not about finding new ways to get parents involved in their children's education. Unfortunately, nor will it be about protecting students' privacy. This hearing is about parents who think it is their right to impose their beliefs on everyone.” Ranking Member Bonamici noted that she “hope we can resolve these issues on how to strengthen FERPA,” but said she “remain[s] deeply concerned about the political agenda driving this conversation.”

In witness testimony, Venzke, from the ACLU, argued that “privacy is the foundation for the frank exchange of viewpoints, uninhibited research, the exploration of new ideas … and, of course, our students’ education records.” He suggested that strong privacy protections are vital for civil rights, including in schools. Sharp, from ADF, asserted that under FERPA, a child’s right to privacy is secondary to the parent’s right “to know,” and that “children are best served when their parents are their primary educators.” Powell, from Californians for Good Governance, raised concerns about student surveys and other school activities that “overly probe children’s emotional states.”

During questions from Members of Congress, Republicans generally spoke about restoring what they see as core parental rights. Representative Burgess Owens (R-UT), Chair of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and the Workforce, argued that parental rights are primary, and said, “The teachers aren’t the parents… we have to start with that premise.” Full Committee Chair Tim Walberg (R-MI) said that a child’s right to privacy does not override a parent’s right to information about his or her child and said, “The courts have routinely rejected [this] interpretation [of the law]. In one case, they specifically noted that under FERPA a child’s right to privacy is secondary to a parent’s right to know.”

Several Democratic members argued that the hearing topic was an effort to discriminate against LGBTQ+ students and their privacy and safety. Others highlighted the ongoing effort by the Trump Administration to dismantle USED and the implications for FERPA, PPRA, and other student protections. Representative Summer Lee (D-PA) argued that, “If we want to safeguard student privacy, we can start by keeping the agency responsible for students’ privacy intact. The Department of Education holds states and districts accountable to FERPA and PPRA.” Rep. Jahanna Hayes (D-CT) spoke about the recent transfer of programs and functions from USED to other agencies and whether they have the capacity and expertise to enforce student privacy laws. Additionally, several Democratic members echoed the comments of Representative Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) that cast doubt on some of the stories offered by Republican members or witnesses about violations of FERPA and PPRA and noted that the laws provide “broad rights for parents” to access student records, review curriculum, and opt out of surveys.

Overall there was a general sentiment in support of updating these laws, but far from consensus on key issues or next steps. In terms of new technologies and impact on student privacy, AI was raised only in the context of larger concern about student data privacy as more schools adopt AI-powered tools and platforms. Of note, Chair Kiley led a hearing in April titled, “The Impact of AI on K-12 Education” where concerns were raised about privacy, data security, equity, and whether guardrails were needed.

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee holds hearing on legislative solutions to protect children and teens online, including revised Republican versions of KOSA and COPPA 2.0: On December 2, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade held a hearing titled, “Legislative Solutions to Protect Children and Teens Online.” Specifically, the hearing examined a series of 19 bills aimed at improving protections for children and teens online, including key among these the “Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act,” known as COPPA 2.0, and the “Kids Online Safety Act,” known as KOSA. The Subcommittee heard from four witnesses: Marc Berkman, Chief Executive Officer, Organization for Social Media Safety; Joel Thayer, President, Digital Progress Institute; Paul Lekas, Executive Vice President, Software & Information Industry Association; and Kate Ruane, Director of the Free Expression Project, Center for Democracy & Technology.

During his opening remarks, Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) in speaking on the series of bills being considered during the hearing, stated, “We’re examining almost twenty bills, which together form a comprehensive strategy to protect kids online. Our approach is straightforward: protect kids, empower parents, and future proof our legislation as new risks and technologies emerge.” Chair Bilirakis then spoke on a new version of KOSA that the Subcommittee Chair unveiled as a discussion draft in advance of the legislative hearing, which he said would “set a national standard to protect kids across America [and mandate] default safeguards and easy-to-use parental controls to empower families.” However, the revised version has drawn criticism from Democrats for removing the bill’s “duty of care” provision that required platforms to “exercise reasonable care” to prevent harms to minors. According to the Chair, the changes are necessary to address First Amendment rights and ensure the bill will not be struck down in court. Also raised during the hearing was a new version of COPPA 2.0, which House Education and Workforce Committee Chair Tim Walberg (R-MI) released in recent days, similarly without bipartisan support. As noted by The Hill in reporting on the hearing, “a push by House lawmakers to advance kids online safety legislation is facing partisan divisions and pushback from key advocates that could spell trouble for the effort, which has struggled to get across the finish line in recent years.” To demonstrate the partisan divide, The Hill, cited remarks by Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) at the hearing who said, “These versions are a gift to Big Tech companies, and they are a slap in the face to the parents, the experts and the advocates, to bipartisan members of Congress who worked long and hard on strong child protection bills.”

A complete list of the bills considered during the markup can be found here. A topline summary of each of these bills as drafted by Committee Republicans can be found here.

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations holds hearing on AI chatbots: On November 18, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing titled, “Innovation with Integrity: Examining the Risks and Benefits of AI Chatbots.” The Subcommittee heard from three witnesses: Marlynn Wei, MD, JD, Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist, and Author; John Torous, MD, MBI, Director of Digital Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; and Jennifer King, PhD, Privacy and Data Policy Fellow, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence.

In opening remarks, Subcommittee Chair John Joyce (R-PA) spoke about how AI chatbots are used and the risks they pose without proper safeguards, including risks to data privacy and their influence on unhealthy user behaviors. He concluded by highlighting the Federal Trade Commission’s recent inquiry to understand what the seven major AI chatbot companies are doing to protect children and teens from harm, stating that the goal of the hearing is to understand the benefits and harms AI chatbots pose to Americans. Subcommittee Ranking Member Yvette Clarke (D-NY) raised legislation she introduced in September, H.R. 5511, the “Algorithmic Accountability Act of 2025,” which would “regulate the use of artificial intelligence in critical decision making in housing, employment, and education.” Ranking Member Clarke also shared how young users are struggling to differentiate real human relationships with those of chatbots and how some users have gone as far as taking their own lives. Ranking Member Clarke called for more efforts to ensure AI is safe, secure, and trustworthy. 

Full Committee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) echoed remarks about how children and adults are being harmed by AI chatbot interactions and how children are more likely to blindly trust chatbots, as well as concerns on the privacy risks posed by AI chatbot use.  Chair Guthrie concluded his statements by mentioning the potential benefits that responsible use of AI chatbots can bring to mental health care and access to care, stating, “we must be proactive in developing safe technologies to make Americans’ lives better.” Full Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) highlighted the lack of transparency behind AI chatbots and the need for research, oversight, and guardrails to avoid further harm. Ranking Member Pallone called attention to Republican efforts to impose a moratorium on state AI regulations, stating that there is “no reason for Congress to stop states from regulating the harms of AI when Congress has not yet passed a similar law.”

Throughout the hearing, multiple members commented on potential new legislation to address issues that can arise from chatbot use. Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN) stated that she is preparing legislation to ensure “any product accessible to young users should meet basic safety standards.” Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-CA) stated that he is working on legislation that would “ensure consumers are better protected in this new environment to prohibit chatbot developers from falsely indicating or implying that their products possess a medical, legal, or financial professional license.” Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) remarked on debates in Congress on federal privacy legislation, expressing frustration that legislation (which she declined to specify) has not been passed. Rep. Fletcher noted that states have had to “step in and do the work that [Congress] should be doing.” Dr. King added that she would like to see Congress adopt privacy legislation, while taking into consideration what states - like those in her home state California - have already signed into law and implemented.

House Education and Workforce Subcommittee holds hearing on expanding and strengthening Career and Technical Education (CTE): On November 19, the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing titled, “From Classroom to Career: Strengthening Skills Pathways Through CTE.” The Subcommittee heard from the following witnesses: Dr. Deb Volzer, Vice President for Workforce Development at SME; Kristi Rice, Cybersecurity Teacher at Spotsylvania County Public Schools; Braden Goetz, Senior Policy Advisor at the Center on Education & Labor; and Nicole Gasper, CEO of West Michigan Aviation Academy.

Subcommittee Chair Kevin Kiley (R-CA) argued that the idea that every student should go to college is “not… compatible with the needs of young people or of our country,” emphasizing that college “is not the only path to success.” He praised high-quality CTE programs as strong options for students who learn best by doing. Witnesses also noted that CTE is increasingly seen as a rigorous, modern pathway to high-skill careers rather than a fallback, with Braden Goetz describing the system as “transformed” and Nicole Gasper highlighting dual-enrollment programs that allow students to earn 3–21 college credits, while gaining in-demand skills in fields like aviation and cybersecurity. There was bipartisan agreement that CTE offers valuable, flexible career options, though members differed on how it should be structured, implemented, overseen, and relationship to traditional academic pathways.

Democratic members stressed that CTE should complement, not replace, college readiness and academic rigor. They emphasized the need for equitable access, modern equipment, and certified instructors, particularly for under-resourced districts, and warned against tracking marginalized students away from college opportunities. Democrats also raised concerns about ongoing shifts of CTE and adult-education functions from USED to DOL. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) questioned whether moving CTE under DOL risks recasting education primarily as job training rather than a holistic system supporting lifelong learning and upward mobility. Witness Deb Volzer argued that education should align with skills for “sustainable, thriving, waged occupations,” but Democrats stressed that equity, accountability, and the educational mission must be preserved.

House Education and Workforce Committee holds hearing on higher education costs and outcomes: On November 18, the House Education and Workforce Committee held a hearing titled, “The Future of College: Harnessing Innovation to Improve Outcomes and Lower Costs.” The Committee heard from four witnesses: Dr. Jeffrey Docking, President of Adrian College; Dr. Kollin Napier, Director of Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network; Dr. Wil Del Pilar, Senior Vice President for Higher Education at EdTrust; and Mr. Tade Oyerinde, Chancellor of Campus.edu.

In his opening statement, Committee Chair Tim Walberg (R-MI) raised how students are failing to finish their degree, noting, “the need for innovation is clear.” House Rules Committee Chair and former Chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee Virginia Foxx (R-NC) asked witnesses about what reforms and program features can best help counter concerns regarding the value of postsecondary education, so that students can be persuaded that “that a lean, targeted postsecondary path can be a smart investment.”

Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) agreed with Chair Walberg’s remarks on the need for innovation in higher education, highlighting “practices such as offering flexible learning options, leveraging digital tools, and providing student services and financial support [to] improve students’ college experience and completion.” Ranking Member Scott also drew attention to the new loan limits and policies established in OBBBA noting that the elimination will “[push] students into the predatory private loan market.” Concluding his remarks, Ranking Member Scott pointed out the Trump Administration’s recent decision not to fund several federal postsecondary programs, specifically the Postsecondary Student Success Grant.

Throughout the hearing, members from both sides of the aisle asked questions on a range of postsecondary education issues, including increasing access to dual enrollment, innovating curriculum to meet workforce needs, and supporting sage AI use. Rep. Mark Harris (R-NC) stated that “the future of higher education depends on adaptation,” asking witnesses how the government can play a role in innovation. Dr. Docking responded, sharing that “the federal government can be helpful in [supporting] dual enrollment,” emphasizing that some high schools would like to enroll students in these programs, but the cost prevents them from doing so. Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC) focused on how some postsecondary students lack basic needs, to which Dr. Pilar stated, “We’re not going to food pantry our way out of food insecurity...we need more systemic solutions [for] the issues that students face…food insecurity, housing insecurity, affordable health care and mental health services.”

U.S. Courts

States sue over restrictions on SNAP eligibility: On November 26, 22 states sued the Trump Administration regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) October 31 memo that excludes from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility those lawful permanent residents who previously held the status of refugees, asylees, or parolees. USDA issued the guidance as part of its implementation of the SNAP provisions in OBBBA. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon and argues that the guidance is “contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act.”

U.S. District Court allows challenge to teacher prep grant cancellations to continue: On November 13, a federal district court in Massachusetts issued a decision in a case brought by eight states challenging the Trump Administration’s cancellation of two federal teacher-preparation grant programs, Teacher Quality Partnerships and Supporting Effective Educator Development. Denying the Administration’s motion to dismiss the case, U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley became the latest federal judge to apply the U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings on a series of grants termination cases and, in particular, its fractured decision in NIH v. APHA. Judge Kelley ruled that the “two-track” approach emerging from Justice Barrett’s opinion in that case is available to the plaintiffs here. First, the court will entertain the states’ arguments that the Administration broke the law in cancelling their grants. Second, if they win, the plaintiffs can then bring a case in the Court of Federal Claims to restore the grants.

USED requests extension on landmark borrower defense settlement: On November 26, Higher Ed Dive reported that USED filed a motion for temporary relief requesting an 18-month extension to make decisions on a group of borrowers who filed borrower defense claims alleging they were defrauded by postsecondary institutions. Higher Ed Dive described that in the decision in Sweet v. McMahon, 207,000 borrowers are automatically eligible for relief if the Department does not make a timely decision, with a deadline of January 28, 2026. USED wrote in its filings that it “has not received the resources that are needed to adjudicate post-class applications…Federal Student Aid has seen staffing dwindle at the time when resources for post-class adjudication are most needed.” USED requests an 18-month extension to adjudicate the cases, or until July 2027.

DOJ files sixth suit against state laws granting undocumented students in-state tuition: On November 20, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a lawsuit against California that challenges its laws permitting undocumented postsecondary students to qualify for in-state tuition, certain scholarships, and subsidized loans. The complaint asserts that provisions of the California Education Code and California Dream Act violate federal law, including by providing favorable treatment for undocumented students who meet the state’s residency requirements over American citizens residing in other states. This is the sixth suit of its kind brought under the Trump Administration (others include Texas, Kentucky, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Minnesota). 

Relatedly, on November 19, a federal judge permitted Kentucky Students for Affordable Tuition, represented by attorneys from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, to intervene in the litigation between Kentucky and the federal government in order to defend that state’s policies permitting undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition.

Supreme Court will not hear school prayer case: On November 17, the Supreme Court announced that it will not consider a case challenging the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) decision to decline a request from a Christian high school to broadcast a prayer over the public address system before a state championship football game. While Cambridge Christian School argued that FHSAA violated their rights to free exercise of religion and free speech, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with FHSAA’s view that broadcasting the prayer could be seen as endorsing or promoting religion in violation of the Establishment Clause. Because the Supreme Court declined to take the case, the appellate court’s ruling remains standing, as does the 2000 Supreme Court ruling in Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe upon which the Eleventh Circuit relied.

Upcoming Events (Congress & Administration):

• On December 9 at 2:00 p.m., the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Education & the American Family will hold a hearing titled, “Building Pathways: Advancing Workforce Development in the 21st Century.” Witnesses have not yet been announced. The hearing will be held in 430 Dirksen Senate Office Building and livestreamed here.
• On December 9 at 10:00 a.m., the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks will hold a hearing to examine legislation. Among other bills, the Subcommittee will consider S.332, to require a study on Holocaust education efforts of States, local educational agencies, and public elementary and secondary schools. The hearing will be held in 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building, and more information is here.

Upcoming Events (Outside Organizations):

• On December 8 at 6:30 p.m., the American Enterprise Institute will hold an event titled, “Education Policy Debate Series: Maximizing School Improvement by 2035 Means Integrating AI into Classrooms Today.” The event will consider when to implement AI programs in schools, and whether it will have the transformative effects that proponents claim it will. The event will be moderated by Nat Malkus, Deputy Director of Education Policy Studies at AEI, and feature: Shanika Hope, Director of Americas & Knowledge, Skills, and Learning at Google; Alex Kotran, CEO of AI Education Project; Dan Meyer, Vice President of User Growth of Amplify; and Jake Tawney, Vice President of Curriculum at Great Hearts Academies. More information and registration are here.
• On December 9 at 10:30 a.m., the Brookings Institution will hold an event titled, “How to matter in the AI age: Lessons from home, school, and work.” Experts will explore what AI has in store for students this school year and how to maintain human connections and a shared sense of social and civic purpose in an increasingly digital world. Speakers include: E.J. Dionne, Jr., Senior Fellow for Governance Studies at Brookings’ Center for Effective Public Management (CEPM); Keri Rodrigues, Co-founder and Founding President of the National Parents Union; Jennie Wallace, Journalist, Author, and Founder of The Mattering Institute; and Rebecca Winthrop, Director of Brookings’ Center for Universal Education and Senior Fellow for Global Economy and Development. More information and registration are here.
• On December 11 at 2:00 p.m., TNTP will host a webinar titled, “Strengthening Pathways through Return on Investment Studies.” The webinar will explore statewide initiatives to analyze the return on investment (ROI) of K-12 and postsecondary programs. The webinar will highlight how ROI studies can help states strengthen student pathways and promote economic mobility. You’ll learn how two states are approaching ROI studies by hearing from Josh McGee, Associate Director of the Office for Education Policy at the University of Arkansas, and Ron Sandlin, Chief Innovation Officer at the Indiana Department of Education. They’ll describe the conditions that enable their states to conduct comprehensive ROI studies and share some of the associated benefits and challenges. More information and registration are here.

Publications (Outside Organizations):

• On November 17, the Institute of International Education (IIE) released a report titled, “Fall 2025 Snapshot on International Student Enrollment.” The report looks at responses from over 824 higher education institutions on international student enrollment for the 2025-2026 academic year. Among its key findings include a 1% decline in the total number of international students, a 17% decrease in new international students, and that 72% of institutions are offering international student deferrals to Spring 2026.
• On November 20, Stanford University’s RAPID Survey Project released a fact sheet titled, “Hunger is increasing among those who provide care to young children.” The fact sheet reports on data collected between June 2021 and June 2025 from child care providers about their access to food. Among the findings presented, from June 2021 to May 2025, 44% of child care providers surveyed experienced hunger, and in June 2025 58% experienced hunger, which was one of the highest rates recorded since data started being collected in 2021. The report also highlights that 43% of the early care and education workforce rely on programs like SNAP and that the situation will get worse with cuts to SNAP and WIC.
• On November 24, Centerline Liberties published an analysis titled, “Americans Struggling With Childcare/Education Costs, Support Government Action.” The analysis looks at responses from a nationwide survey which found that 79% of voters support additional federal investment in early childhood education, 81% support more state-level investment, and that this was a bipartisan sentiment with 74% of Republicans supporting more government investment.
• In November, Study Portals published a report titled, “The Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey Global summary report Aug-Oct 2025 intake.” The survey included 461 institutions from 63 countries. Among its findings it found that 48% of United States universities reported lower numbers of international students and only 32% reported gaining students.
• On December 1, the Learning Policy Institute published a new report titled, “Supporting and Sustaining a Diverse Teacher Workforce.” A growing body of research demonstrates that a diverse teacher workforce is essential to student success, and yet, teachers of color remain significantly underrepresented in America’s classrooms. The Learning Policy Institute's new report examines national trends and identifies critical barriers that continue to limit both entry into and longevity within the profession for teachers of color. Although more candidates of color are preparing to teach, too many lack access to comprehensive training, competitive compensation, supportive working conditions, and early-career mentoring—factors that strongly influence teacher retention. The report outlines actionable federal, state, and local policy strategies to strengthen pathways into teaching and ensure that teachers of color are supported to thrive throughout their careers.

Legislation:

Introduced in the House of Representatives:

H.R. 6272

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow certain child care expenses as qualified expenses for purpose of section 529 of such Code.
Sponsor: Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI)

H.R 6282

A bill to amend title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide program eligibility for distance education programs offered by foreign institutions of higher education.
Sponsor: Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA)

H.R. 6284

A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for a percentage of student loan forgiveness for public service employment, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA)

H.R. 6291

A bill to amend the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 to strengthen protections relating to the online collection, use, and disclosure of personal information of children and teens, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI)

H.R. 6307

A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to fund the information clearinghouse through fiscal year 2032, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY)

H.R. 6312

A bill to establish a Federal pilot program for cost-sharing of child care expenses among employers, employees, and government.
Sponsor: Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI)

H.R. 6343

A bill to amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to extend education grant programs for Alaska Native serving institutions and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-HI)

H.R. 6350

A bill to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of college athletes.
Sponsor: Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MA)

H.R. 6358

A bill to reauthorize and improve a grant program to assist institutions of higher education in establishing, maintaining, improving, and operating Student Veteran Centers.
Sponsor: Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL)

H.R. 6375

A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide grants to local educational agencies to encourage girls and underrepresented minorities to pursue studies and careers in STEM fields.
Sponsor: Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH)

H.R. 6392

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: Rep. Mark Harris (R-NC)

H.R. 6403

A bill to amend the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to meet the needs of homeless children, youth, and families, and honor the assessments and priorities of local communities.
Sponsor: Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY)

H.R. 6406

A bill to establish a grant program to provide assistance to eligible individuals to cover the costs of childcare services.
Sponsor: Rep. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)

H.R. 6413

A bill to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to remove a requirement that 75 percent of certain funds be used to provide youth workforce investment activities for out-of-school youth.
Sponsor: Rep. David Taylor (R-OH)

H.R. 6416

A bill to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to establish a digital skills at work grant program.
Sponsor: Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-VA)

H.R. 6419

A bill to amend the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 to establish a National Center for Advanced Development in Education at the Institute for Education Sciences, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)

H.R. 6428

A bill to require the Secretary of State to submit a report on participation in educational and cultural exchange programs.
Sponsor: Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA)

H.R. 6440

A bill to ensure that students in schools have a right to read, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ)

H.R. 6461

A bill to direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop best practices and technical guidance on artificial intelligence model documentation, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE)

H.R. 6489

A bill to ensure that providers of chatbots clearly and conspicuously disclose to users who are minors that chatbots are artificial intelligence systems, not natural person, and do not provide advice from licensed professionals, and for other proposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN)

H.Res. 920

A resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act on November 29, 2025, and recognizing its transformative impact on the education of children with disabilities.
Sponsor: Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA)

H.Res. 905

A resolution supporting the designation of November 2025 as "National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month".
Sponsor: Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)

Introduced in the Senate:

S. 3319

A bill to promote a 21st century workforce, to authorize grants to support emerging and advanced technology education, and to support training and quality employment for workers in industries most impacted by artificial intelligence.
Sponsor: Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE)

S. 3328

A bill to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to establish a digital skills at work grant program.
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA)

S. 3340

A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide grants to local educational agencies to encourage girls and underrepresented minorities to pursue studies and careers in STEM fields.
Sponsor: Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD)

S. 3359

A bill to increase rates of college completion and reduce college costs by accelerating time to degree, aligning secondary and postsecondary education, and improving postsecondary credit transfer.
Sponsor: Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH)

S. 3365

A bill to ensure that students in schools have a right to read, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI)

S. 3378

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish name, image, and likeness investment accounts for student-athletes, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)

S.Res. 521

A resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act on November 29, 2025, and recognizing its transformative impact on the education of children with learning disabilities.
Sponsor: Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)