BUDGET RECONCILIATION NEWS
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TFAI Urges Congressional Leaders to Prioritize Investments in Research and Development in FY22 Reconciliation Bill
The Task Force on American Innovation, of which AAU is a member, sent a letter urging House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to prioritize science and technology research and research infrastructure funding as they finalize the FY22 reconciliation bill. The letter notes that increased funding in research and development is urgently needed for America to stay technologically competitive and to create industries and jobs for the future. The letter expresses strong support for investments in research proposed by relevant House committees, including the House Science Committee, and requests the highest funding levels possible for the American science and technology enterprise. “Right now, we have a unique opportunity to make a transformational investment in both critical S&T research and the research infrastructure necessary to secure U.S. leadership in the development of key technologies of the future,” the letter notes. ( Association of American Universities - Oct. 20, 2021)
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Why Biden’s Plan for Free Community College Likely Will Be Cut from Budget Package
Six months ago, President Biden told a joint session of Congress that providing two years of free community college would help “change the dynamic” for students and the U.S education system. On Tuesday, as the final elements of his social-policy package took shape, he told Democratic lawmakers that his community-college proposal likely wouldn’t make the grade. Free community-college tuition is more vulnerable than some other proposals because it had relatively few champions on Capitol Hill and faced opposition from several key Democrats, some Republican governors and a handful of powerful interest groups, aides to lawmakers and lobbyists said. Barbara Mistick, president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, which represents four-year private schools, said that free community college is untested federally and the program’s bureaucracy would have to be built from scratch, whereas Pell, which is nearly 50 years old, is proven, efficient and effective. ( The Wall Street Journal - Oct. 20, 2021)
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‘Promises Made Just Have to Be Promises Kept’: Black Colleges Feel Stung by Democrats
As part of President Biden’s sprawling domestic policy agenda, he proposed tens of billions of dollars for historically Black colleges and universities as a long-overdue down payment on leveling the playing field between them and their wealthier, predominantly white-serving counterparts. The latest iteration of the social spending bill put forth by House Democrats includes billions of dollars in tuition assistance for low-income students attending H.B.C.U.s and other minority-serving institutions. But instead of an additional $20 billion that Mr. Biden had hoped to funnel exclusively to the schools—part of a $45 billion proposal to upgrade research infrastructure across the country—the House bill proposes just $2 billion, to be awarded through a competitive grant program that pits roughly 100 H.B.C.U.s against hundreds of larger institutions that have far more resources. The institutions recently issued a rare rebuke of Democratic leaders, saying that their decision to underdeliver on Mr. Biden’s vision will perpetuate centuries of inequities that have put them at a competitive disadvantage. ( The New York Times - Oct. 20, 2021)
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Lhamon Narrowly Confirmed as Civil Rights Head
Catherine Lhamon was confirmed by the Senate to serve as assistant secretary for civil rights at the Department of Education in a 51-to-50 vote held Wednesday. Vice President Harris cast the tie-breaking vote. Lhamon has consistently faced opposition from Republicans throughout her confirmation process, with many of them concerned about her views on Title IX. She previously said that the regulations put into place by former secretary of education Betsy DeVos allow “students to rape and sexually harass with impunity.” Lhamon will lead the Office for Civil Rights at the department. “With this confirmation, our nation has once again gained a champion who will work each day to ensure that our public schools and institutions of higher education become ever fairer and more just,” said Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in a statement. “Catherine is one of the strongest civil rights leaders in America and has a robust record of fighting for communities that are historically and presently underserved.” ( Inside Higher Ed - Oct. 21, 2021)
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President Biden Issues Executive Order to Advance Educational Equity and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans
Yesterday, President Biden issued an executive order establishing an initiative and a presidential advisory commission within the Department of Education to improve educational outcomes and create economic opportunities for Black Americans. The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans will focus on advancing policies that would address entrenched disparities in America’s education system that prevent Black students from achieving their full potential. It would also work to ensure that Black communities have access to resources for economic success. As part of the initiative, federal agencies will participate in an interagency working group and develop plans outlining “measurable actions” that would advance educational equity and economic opportunity for Black Americans. The executive order also creates a Presidential Advisory Commission on Advancing Education Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans. ( Association of American Universities - Oct. 20, 2021)
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What Navient’s Exit from Federal Student Loan Servicing Means for Borrowers
The Education Department on Wednesday approved an agreement for Navient, one of the nation’s largest student loan companies, to transfer the portfolio it manages on the agency’s behalf. Announced in September, the deal will deliver about 5.6 million federal student loan accounts to Maximus, a student loan company that manages debt collection for the department. The company will take over Navient’s contract, which the Biden administration extended for two years as the department works to restructure its servicing platform. The transfer arrives at a critical time for the Education Department. The agency is preparing for some 41 million Americans to reenter repayment of their federal student loans in February, nearly two years after the federal government suspended collection in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Consumer groups and lawmakers worry the departure of Navient and other servicing companies could be disruptive as borrowers migrate back into the system. ( The Washington Post - Oct. 20, 2021)
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