for help call: 1.800.578.OSBA
- Home
- Topics
- Legislative and advocacy
- Federal
- November 22, 2019 NSBA Weekly Update
November 22, 2019 - NSBA Weekly Update
Congressional Update
House and Senate Leaders Pass Temporary Funding Deal
This week, the House (231-192) and Senate (74-20) passed HR 3055 to avoid a government shutdown and extend funding at current levels until December 20. President Trump signed the measure last night. Though the funding has been temporarily extended until December 20, there is no guarantee that congressional leaders will be able to overcome the policy and political hurdles that have impeded the process all year, which could mean that federal programs will continue operating at FY19 levels well into 2020.
This week, the House (231-192) and Senate (74-20) passed HR 3055 to avoid a government shutdown and extend funding at current levels until December 20. President Trump signed the measure last night. Though the funding has been temporarily extended until December 20, there is no guarantee that congressional leaders will be able to overcome the policy and political hurdles that have impeded the process all year, which could mean that federal programs will continue operating at FY19 levels well into 2020.
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Holds Hearing Regarding FCC
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee is expected to hold a hearing with the full Federal Communications Commission including FCC Chairman Ajit Pai on December 5. This will be the second time the Chairman has provided testimony to this committee. We expect the hearing to include discussions on the recently released report from the Government Accountability Office which made recommendations on how the FCC can better police fraud in its broadband subsidies program.
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee is expected to hold a hearing with the full Federal Communications Commission including FCC Chairman Ajit Pai on December 5. This will be the second time the Chairman has provided testimony to this committee. We expect the hearing to include discussions on the recently released report from the Government Accountability Office which made recommendations on how the FCC can better police fraud in its broadband subsidies program.
House Education Committee Postpones Student Loan Hearing
The House Education and Labor Committee postponed their hearing this week titled “'With Extreme Displeasure': Examining the Education Department’s Refusal to Provide Debt Relief to Defrauded Students.” Secretary DeVos had been invited to provide testimony but was not planning to attend. Chairman Scott anticipates that the hearing will be rescheduled for December 12.
The House Education and Labor Committee postponed their hearing this week titled “'With Extreme Displeasure': Examining the Education Department’s Refusal to Provide Debt Relief to Defrauded Students.” Secretary DeVos had been invited to provide testimony but was not planning to attend. Chairman Scott anticipates that the hearing will be rescheduled for December 12.
Administration Update
Department of Education Released Updated College Scorecard
The Department of Education released an updated version of the College Scorecard. The new data includes student success. The “Scorecard's search function in general is more intuitive and dynamic than before, allowing prospective students to more easily find and compare schools that meet their needs.” Students and their parents can now search for schools by acceptance rate, ACT/SAT scores, and location (including a "close to me" feature). The update also includes data on student debt load and earnings by field of study.
The Department of Education released an updated version of the College Scorecard. The new data includes student success. The “Scorecard's search function in general is more intuitive and dynamic than before, allowing prospective students to more easily find and compare schools that meet their needs.” Students and their parents can now search for schools by acceptance rate, ACT/SAT scores, and location (including a "close to me" feature). The update also includes data on student debt load and earnings by field of study.
Federal Trade Commission Releases “Social media Influencers” Guidance
The Federal Trade Commission released guidance regarding “social media Influencers Disclosures.” The guidance will affect educators that participate in ambassador programs with companies. It will also provide direction regarding social media use and when and how to appropriately disclose relationships, benefits, and endorsements received from companies on social media.
The Federal Trade Commission released guidance regarding “social media Influencers Disclosures.” The guidance will affect educators that participate in ambassador programs with companies. It will also provide direction regarding social media use and when and how to appropriately disclose relationships, benefits, and endorsements received from companies on social media.
Notable New Legislation
- H.R.5206 To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to establish a fund to provide support services for individuals participating in certain training activities under such Act. Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]
- H.R.5204 To direct the Secretary of Education to study student mental health at institutions of higher education and to issue guidance on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act for mental health and substance use disorder policies of institutions of higher education, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Porter, Katie [D-CA-45]
- H.R.5171 To permanently authorize the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. Sponsor: Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]
- H.R.5148 To improve program integrity through State evaluation of institutions of higher education, requirements for student complaint submissions, and the establishment of policies and procedures to address closure of institutions of higher education, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]
- S.2899 A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to support apprenticeship programs. Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
- S.2887 A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to address and take action to combat rural teacher shortages across the United States. Sponsor: Sen. Jones, Doug [D-AL]
- S.2857 A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to count military and veterans’ education benefits as Federal educational assistance, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE]
NSBA Update
Welcome Jane Mello!
NSBA would like to introduce all of you to our newest staff member, Jane Mellow, who has recently joined the Federal Advocacy and Public Policy team as the managing director. Jane is an experienced leader in government and education policy having served as a legislative director in both the House and Senate, as director of a Washington office for a governor, and as a political appointee at the U.S. Department of Transportation in the last administration. In addition to her work in Congress focusing on K-12 education, Jane also worked for a higher education organization.\
- Courtesy of NSBA's Federal Advocacy & Public Policy Update - Week of November 22, 2019