Federal Relations
July 30, 2014
House Considers VA Conference Report
Both the House and Senate intend to bring to the floor this week a conference agreement to reform the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and increase transparency and services in the Department of Veterans Administration (VA). The House will be the first to consider, what has been a delicate and sometimes contentious agreement to create, the conference
July 28, 2014
This Week in Committees
Here are a few committee hearings we’ll be following this week. THURSDAY, JULY 28 House Energy & Commerce Committee Patient Care Legislation (HR 4067) Subcommittee Markup 3 PM; 2123 Rayburn House Building FRIDAY, JULY 29 House Science, Space & Technology National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Subcommittee Hearing 10 AM; 2318 Rayburn House Building SATURDAY, JULY
July 25, 2014
Rep. Ryan Anti-Poverty Plan and Higher Education
On Thursday, House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) announced what he is calling a new anti-poverty plan that proposes sweeping changes to the safety net through a state-led pilot program. Announced at the the conservative American Enterprise Institute, Ryan’s plan calls for streamlining the student-aid system, capping federal loans to parents and graduate students, a database for tracking recipients of
House Passes Black-Davis Student and Family Tax Simplification Act
The House passed H.R. 3393, the Student and Family Tax Simplification Act (Black-Davis), by a vote of 227-187 yesterday. The bill combines four education tax benefits into a new, permanent American Opportunity Tax Credit. The higher education community has raised concerns about how the bill impacts nontraditional and graduate students. These concerns were echoed in
July 24, 2014
House Passes Series of Student-focused Bills
The House considered a series of higher education bills this week designed to increase transparency and education for student in how to pay for college. On Wednesday, the House passed the Advancing Competency-Based Education Demonstration Project Act (H.R. 3136) sponsored by Representative Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Susan Brooks (R-IN) and Jared Polis (D-CO). The bill would: Promotes innovation in higher
July 23, 2014
Senate to Introduce COMPETES Reauthorization This Week
We expect Senator John Rockefeller (D-WV) will introduce the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2014 later this week. A discussion draft of this five-year reauthorization bill has been circulated and many provisions in the bill are reminiscent of the COMPETES Acts of 2007 and 2010.
July 21, 2014
FY 2015 Appropriations Process Stalled
There are just two weeks left until Congress adjourns for the month of August (August 1st—September 5th). This week lawmakers will return to DC and try to advance a few pieces of legislation – including refilling the Highway Trust Fund and reaching a deal on veterans’ health care legislation – before the end of August.
July 14, 2014
This Week in Congress
Today the Senate reconvenes at 2 p.m. and is in a period of morning business until 6 p.m. No votes are expected. In the other chamber, the House reconvenes at 2 p.m. for legislative business and is expected to begin consideration of a number of bills, including HR 5016, which would make appropriations for financial
July 7, 2014
Congress Back for 4-Week Summer Session
Democrats and Republicans are returning to the Capitol today after a weeklong break to celebrate the Fourth of July. But they appear to be more focused on the midterm elections rather than on moving legislation. Hopes have dimmed that Congress will get much done this year since they only have 29 legislative days left in
June 30, 2014
Student Loan Interest Rates Rise
Annual student loan interest rates increase tomorrow, July 1st. This represents the first full year loan rates will be tied to the 10-year Treasury note under the deal struck by Congress last summer. Rates will rise from 3.86 to 4.66 percent for undergraduate Stafford loans, 5.41 to 6.21 percent for graduate Stafford loans and 6.41