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

HOUSE

The House and Senate will be in recess until after the September 4^th Labor Day Holiday.

The House Rules Committee announced that they will likely issue an amendment deadline prior to their return from the August recess for consideration of the remaining eight appropriations bills.

House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta requesting additional answers on oversight questions about safety and security within the Job Corps program.

SENATE

Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Patty Murray (D-WA), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Education (ED) Secretary Betsy DeVos and Federal Student Aid Chief Operating Officer A. Wayne Johnson urging them to appoint a Chief Enforcement Officer for Federal student assistance. The previous Chief Enforcement Officer, Robert Kaye, and his deputy, Laura Kim, resigned earlier this year.

50 Democratic Members of Congress sent a letter to ED Secretary DeVos urging her to nominate an Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at ED, as well as expressing their concerns with Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Candice Jackson.

ADMINISTRATION  

ED announced the approval of Nevada, New Jersey and New Mexico’s State plans under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

ED provided the District of Columbia, Illinois, Arizona, North Dakota and Vermont with feedback on their State plans under ESSA, as well as provided Michigan and Maine with initial feedback, indicating that their plans were incomplete.

The Chronicle on Higher Education reported that ED responded to Senator Dick Durbin’s (D-IL) letter containing questions regarding the gainful employment rule and stated that they did not have any timetable to send completers lists to schools for 2017.

Education Week reported that Acting Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education Jason Botel may leave his position.

The Universal Service Administrative Company, which administers the E-rate program and other Federal universal-service funds, announced that it is transferring funds to the U.S. Department of Treasury.

ED published, in the Federal Register, a notice extending the public comment period for input on ED’s regulations. Comments are now due by September 20, a 30-day extension from the original August 21 due date.