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June 2023 Legislative Letter 📜 NAGPS
June 5, 2023
In this thread:
Updates in Higher Education
The Executive Branch
Department of Education
Debt Relief
STEM
Mental Health
The Legislative Branch
118th Congress
Who’s on the hill?
Debt Relief
Legislation
H.Res.110
H.R.302
H.R.751
S.136
H.R.322
State Legislatures
Florida
The Judicial Branch
Litigation: The Supreme Court
Debt Forgiveness
Related News
Relevant Reads
Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
The State of Higher Education
Higher Education Policy
Reports and Presentations
Other
UPDATES IN HIGHER EDUCATION
House Republicans pass a resolution overturning President Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan and voiding the current pause for student loan payments and interest. Although the Supreme Court will likely issue a decision on student loan debt relief this summer, the GOP-led House argued that student debt relief is unfair to individuals who do not have student loans.
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Debt Relief
There have been Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) approvals of over $42 billion set to take effect July 2023. There has also been a simplification of the process in which borrowers can now apply online without the need of a wet signature. See here for more details on where all of the $42 billion goes.
STEM
The Department of Education and NASA signed a “memorandum of understanding” this past month to strengthen partnerships and education for STEM and space students.
Mental Health
As ever, the Biden-Harris administration is focused on improving mental health in all students K-12, university, graduate and post-graduate. The Education Department is fully on board and has proposed new rules under the IDEA program for K-12. Check back for updates in higher education.
THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH: THE WHITE HOUSE AND OTHER AGENCIES
118th CONGRESS
Who’s on the hill?
The House Committee on Education and the Workforce: Oversees all educational programs and provides policies in Education, Human Services and Workforce.
The Committee on Science and Space Technology: Oversees all civilian energy, astronautical, aviation, marine, weather, and science etc. research and development, as well as the laws, programs and policies connected to them.
The Budget Committee: Oversees aggregate levels of spending, revenue, surplus or deficit and public debt. Otherwise known as ‘the power of the purse’.
Debt Relief
Senators and Representatives signed two separate amicus briefs, Final Senators’ Amicus Brief and Final Representatives’ Amicus Brief, to block loan forgiveness. Click this link for more information.
LEGISLATION
H.Res.110
Summary: Resolution to support and celebrate career and technical education across the U.S.
Actions: Introduced in the House, referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. 8 FEB 23.
H.R. 302
Summary: Requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish an Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Program to provide financial assistance, research experience, and training experience to graduate students and researchers studying cybersecurity competencies within energy infrastructure needs.
Actions: Passed the House, received in the Senate, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. 7 FEB 23.
H.R.751
Summary: Hospitals may use some of their Medicare payments for residency and training programs, specifically for their osteopathic and allopathic sections and candidates.
Actions: Introduced in the House. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. 2 FEB 23.
S.136
Summary: To provide a consumer protection framework necessary to support the growth of accessible, affordable, and accountable financing options for postsecondary education, and for other purposes.
Actions: Introduced in the Senate, referred to the Committee on Finance. 30 JAN 23.
H.R.322
Summary: To modify the Federal TRIO programs, raising the minimum grant budget and adjusting the language of the Higher Education Act of 1965
Actions: Introduced in the House, referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. 12 JAN 23.
STATE LEGISLATURES
Florida
A new law has been passed that gives the State Board of Governors more power over Florida public universities, changes hiring practices that would allow universities to remove diversity and inclusion statements, as well as allows a professor’s tenure to be called into question at any time.
A link to the law can be found here.
It also forces public universities to remove Gender Studies, Critical Race Theory, and Intersectionality degrees and prohibits allocating funding to university programs that support these causes and ideas.
Many other states have started this process with their own bills or pushed laws through quietly, most times copying verbatim the new Florida Law. The list of other states and their bills is as such, updated as frequently as possible:
THE JUDICIAL BRANCH
LITIGATION: THE SUPREME COURT
Debt Forgiveness
Currently, the Supreme Court has blocked student loan forgiveness as they hear two cases: Biden v. Nebraska and Department of Education v. Brown.
As of the 28th of February 2023, the Supreme Court is pending adjudication on both cases. For more information, please click this link.
RELATED NEWS
RELEVANT READS
Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
The State of Higher Education
Admissions down in higher education (NAGPS comment)
HEADLINES: Top Higher Education News for the Week (acenet.edu)
Higher Education Policy
Colorado to create economic return metric for degree programs
Reports and Presentations
Usage and Success of HEERF Funds During the Pandemic
Webinar: Best practices for sexual assault campus climate surveys
Other
Grant Programs for Postsecondary Students through the Department of Education
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