Penn Hill Group Principal Vic Klatt was quoted in an October 25 Education Week article, “What Could Be in Store for Education if Democrats Get More Power in Congress?” Klatt commented on the leadership of the next Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee:

“And even if Democrats take control, in the Senate, power gravitates to people who know the most. … [Senator Lamar Alexander, R-TN., the current committee chairman] is someone who knows the issues better than any other senator and will be in a position to make or break [proposals], said Vic Klatt, a former GOP staff director with the House education committee who’s now a principal at the Penn Hill Group, a lobbying firm.”

Klatt commented on the possible legislative avenues for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s free college plan:

“On the other hand, major changes to higher education policy and big-ticket issues like college affordability often go through other avenues than the Higher Education Act, Klatt noted. The Affordable Care Act, for example, instituted direct loans from the federal government to college students, a major change in policy. And other big changes to higher education have gotten through Congress via things like the budget reconciliation process and a highway bill, Klatt noted.”

Klatt stated that:

“In the higher ed world, something big is coming. It’s not exactly clear what. But change is in the air no matter what the outcome of the election is. It’s just a matter of when, Klatt said.”