Here’s a quick look at the news from last week (August 1-5) in Washington.

After passing the Debt limit extension, the House adjourned for the August break until the week of September 5, but will hold several pro forma sessions between now and then to avoid recess appointments.

The Debt limit extension included provisions that provide significant relief to the Pell Grant shortfall for the next two years.   The final bill also eliminates the Federal in-school interest subsidy for graduate student loans, and eliminates the ability to issue unauthorized borrower benefits for recipients of all types of student loans.  Further reductions to education funding are possible when Congress returns and the “Super-committee,” charged by the debt limit extension bill with finding an additional $1.5 trillion in debt reduction, begins its work, and also when the Congressional appropriations process kicks into gear as the end of the fiscal year approaches.

SENATE

The Senate passed the Debt limit extension bill and is adjourned until September 6, but will hold several pro forma sessions between now and then to avoid recess appointments.

ADMINISTRATION

The Administration continues to work on its ESEA waiver strategy, and is expected to make a public announcement sometime soon on this topic.  [Update: The announcement has been made.]