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

HOUSE and SENATE

The House is scheduled to consider a veto override of H.J.Res.76, a Congressional Review Act resolution which would repeal the Administration’s final Borrower Defense to Repayment rule, on Friday, June 26.

Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chair Roger Wicker (R-MS) and House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR) released a legislative framework for broadband connectivity and digital equity.

ADMINISTRATION

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) published an interim final rule regarding the eligibility of students at institutions of higher education for emergency grant aid under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136). Relatedly, Federal district courts in Washington State and in California have issued orders preventing ED from enforcing, in Washington and California respectively, aspects of the rule.

ED reportedly told stakeholders that the two 2009 guidance documents on professional judgement are no longer in effect, and removed references to the guidance in its Federal Student Aid Handbook.

ED approved the career and technical education (CTE) State plans for Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, New York, South Carolina and Utah. To date, 31 CTE State plans have been approved.

SUPREME COURT

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Administration could not move forward with its plan to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program by a 5 to 4 vote.

The Supreme Court ruled that protections against employment discrimination based on sex, as prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, apply to issues of discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation by a 6 to 3 vote.

EVENTS

Penn Hill Group plans to provide clients with summaries of the following events next week:

• June 22: House Education and Labor Committee hearing on “Inequities Exposed: How COVID-19 Widened Racial Inequities in Education, Health, and the Workforce”
• June 23: Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on “COVID-19: Lessons Learned to Prepare for the Next Pandemic”

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Penn Hill Group provides a list of grant opportunities and summaries for select grants. Please visit our website for more information.