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Author: McKinzie Strait

This Week in Committees

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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 30

Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation
Aviation Manufacturing
Subcommittee Hearing
10:30 AM; 253 Russell Senate Building

SUNDAY, JULY 31

Senate Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs
Financial Products and Education
Full Committee Hearing
10 AM; 538 Dirksen Senate Building

House Small Business Committee
Telemedicine and Small Medicine Practices
Subcommittee Hearing
10 AM; 2360 Rayburn House Building

House Passes Black-Davis Student and Family Tax Simplification Act

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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 floor debate by Ranking Member Levin and Representatives Doggett, Rangel, Polis, and Kind.

Republicans who voted for the bill noted that consolidating several tuition tax credits will simplify the tax code and make it easier for students and families take advantage of this tax benefit.

Democrats who voted against the bill cited the fact that there is no funding offset. As such, the bill is unlikely to be taken up in its present form in the Senate.

This Week in Congress

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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 services in FY 2015. Roll call votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Here’s what we’ll be paying attention to in committee this week:

TUESDAY, JULY 15

Senate Appropriations Committee
Fiscal 2015 Appropriations: Defense
Subcommittee Markup
10 AM; 192 Dirksen Senate Building

House Appropriations Committee
Fiscal 2015 Appropriations: Interior-Environment
Full Committee Markup
9 AM; 2359 Rayburn Building

THURSDAY, JULY 17

Senate Appropriations Committee
Fiscal 2015 Appropriations: Defense
Full Committee Markup
10:30 AM; 106 Dirksen Senate Building

Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee
Research and Development Investments
Full Committee Hearing
2 PM; 253 Russell Senate Buliding

House Energy & Commerce Committee
Technological Advancements in Health Care
Subcommittee Joint Hearing
9:30 AM; 2123 Rayburn House Building

House Science, Space & Technology
Innovative Medical Achievements
Subcommittee Hearing
9 AM; 2318 Rayburn House Building
 

Senate Committees Hold Hearings on Student Loans

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This morning Senators discussed student loans in two simultaneous committee hearings.

The Senate Budget Committee, which is chaired by Washington State’s Senator Patty Murray, held a full committee hearing titled, “Impact of Student Loan Debt on Borrowers and the Economy.” Key witnesses in the hearing included representatives from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Student Virginia Education Association, and the Contemporary History Institute at Ohio University. A video of the hearing and written testimony can be found here.

Over in the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection held a hearing titled, “Student Loan Servicing: The Borrower’s Experience.” Scheduled witnesses included representatives from the Student Veterans of America, the American Federation of Teachers, the Heritage Foundation, and the Denison University director of financial aid. A webcast of the hearing along with written testimony can be viewed on the Committee’s website here.