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

The House Republican Steering Committee selected Representative Diane Black (R-TN) to be the Chairwoman of the House Budget Committee in the 115^th Congress.

House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), House Budget Committee Chairwoman Black and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) released statements congratulating Representative Tom Price (R-GA) on his confirmation to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

House Education and the Workforce Committee leaders sent a letter to U.S. Department of Education (ED) Secretary Betsy DeVos congratulating her on her confirmation and expressing their commitment to conduct oversight.

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, Education, and Related Agencies will hold its outside and public witnesses hearings on Wednesday, March 8. The deadline to submit requests to testify is Tuesday, February 21.

Chairwoman Foxx released a statement announcing her disappointment with the withdrawal of Andrew Puzder’s nomination to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

Chairwoman Foxx released a statement supporting the nomination of Alexander Acosta to serve as DOL Secretary.

House Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) released statements on the withdrawal of Puzder’s nomination and on the nomination of Acosta.

The House Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee held a hearing on juvenile justice reform. The documents and webcast can be found here.

SENATE 

The Senate voted to confirm Representative Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) as director of the White House Office of Management and Budget. The final vote was 51—49.

HELP Committee Chairman Alexander released a statement regarding the withdrawal of Puzder’s nomination.

HELP Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) released a statement regarding the withdrawal of Puzder’s nomination.

Chairman Alexander released a statement supporting the nomination of Acosta.

Ranking Member Murray released a statement saying that she has some initial concerns about the nomination of Acosta.

Chairman Alexander released a statement supporting ED Secretary DeVos’ letter to Chief State School Officers, which clarifies the timeline and process for submitting State plans under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Ranking Member Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) sent a letter to ED Secretary DeVos requesting an explanation for why the resource website for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was down. ED Secretary DeVos released a statement saying that ED currently is in the process of improving the site and moving it to a new server.

ADMINISTRATION  

Puzder withdrew his nomination to serve as DOL Secretary.

President Trump announced his nomination of R. Alexander Acosta to serve as DOL Secretary.

ED Secretary DeVos sent a letter to the Chief State School Officers on ESSA implementation, emphasizing the following: (1) States should continue to follow the previously announced timeline to submit their consolidated State plans by April 3 or September 17; (2) States may use the currently available plan template to submit their plans; (3) ED will provide a new plan template by March 13 that States may use for submission; and (4) States may want to consider developing their own plan template, solely or with other States through the Council of the Chief State School Officers.

President Trump held a Parent-Teacher Conference Listening Session, and his remarks can be found here.

ED Secretary DeVos spoke at the Magnet Schools of America 2017 National Policy Training Conference, and her remarks can be found here.

ED Secretary DeVos spoke at the Community College National Legislative Summit, and her remarks can be found here.