A quick look at the news from last week, compiled by Penn Hill Group: 

HOUSE and SENATE

The House is in recess and will return Monday, November 16.

The Senate will be in recess on Wednesday, November 11 only.

BUDGET

The President signed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. This bill will increase spending caps for defense and non-defense discretionary spending by a combined $80 billion over fiscal years 2016 and 2017 and raise the debt ceiling until March 2017, among other provisions. Additionally, the bill will remove the current consent requirement needed for loan servicers of federal loans to auto-dial borrowers on their cellphones.

ADMINISTRATION

The Administration announced executive actions and legislative proposals related to accreditation. Executive actions include: publishing accreditor standards for evaluating student outcomes; posting information about accreditation on the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED’s) website; and publishing metrics of institutions by accreditor. Legislative proposals include: permitting ED to set and enforce student achievement standards in the recognition of accreditors; requiring the development of teach-out plans and the reservation of funds for high-risk institutions; and establishing common definitions.

The U.S. Department of Labor released a proposal for new rules to update Equal Employment Opportunity regulations to ensure equal opportunity for participation in apprenticeship programs.