A quick look back at the news from last week. Compiled by Penn Hill Group.

HOUSE

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) announced that House and Senate Leadership have decided not to move forward with fiscal year (FY) 2017 Appropriations bills in calendar year 2016 and that the Committee is working on a Continuing Resolution (CR) for FY2017 that would go through March 31, 2017.

The House Democratic Caucus announced that leadership elections for Minority Leader and other positions will be delayed until the week of November 28^th. Elections were originally scheduled to take place this week. Representative Tim Ryan (D-OH) announced that he will challenge current House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) for that position.

SENATE  

Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) issued a statement opposing the decision to not to move forward with FY2017 Appropriations bills in calendar year 2016 and, instead, work on a CR.

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that she will continue serving as Ranking Member of the Committee in the 115^th Congress. Senator Murray was also elected, by the Senate Democratic Caucus, to serve as Assistant Democratic Leader, the third-ranking position in Senate Democratic leadership.

Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) was elected, by the Senate Democratic Caucus, as Minority Leader in the 115^th Congress. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) will remain the Whip for Senate Democrats in the coming Congress, the second-ranking position in Senate Democratic leadership.

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) was selected, by the Senate Democratic Caucus, to serve as Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee for the 115^th Congress. He will replace Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), who is retiring at the end of this Congress.

ADMINISTRATION 

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) released data on the earnings of graduates of career college programs and some other schools, which will be used to calculate the debt-to-earnings rates under the standards of ED’s gainful employment regulation.

ED released a Fact Sheet on new Federal guidance and resources to support completion and success in higher education, which includes data on the average 4-year graduation rates and cohort default rates from 2012—2014, by State.

ED released a Dear Colleague letter calling for more high-quality education and reentry support programs within correctional facilities.

ED released a Dear Colleague letter calling on institutions to do all they can to eliminate harassment and discrimination.

ED released a report, “Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education,” on expanding college opportunity by advancing diversity and inclusion.