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

HOUSE and SENATE

House Committee on Education and Labor Democrats introduced the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020. The press release issued on the bill indicated the Committee would markup the bill on Thursday, September 24.

House Minority leadership announced an agenda that they would pursue should they recapture the majority in the House of Representatives in the November election.

ADMINISTRATION

The U.S. Department of Education (ED)’s Office of Inspector General is investigating the policy for partial student loan relief for borrowers with approved borrower defense to repayment (BDR) claims.

ED announced the launch of a website that tracks the amount of spending per pupil at every school in the United States.

The U.S. Treasury Department issued a final rule regarding endowment taxes for certain private institutions of higher education (IHEs).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a study which found the COVID-19 mortality rates for Black, Hispanic and American Indian children are much higher than those of White children.

The U.S. Department of Labor issued revised regulations to clarify paid leave requirements under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L.116-127).

ED informed Princeton University that the agency is opening an investigation over whether the University has misrepresented its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 after the issuance of a letter from the University’s president on efforts to combat systemic racism.

President Trump announced his intention to create “The 1776 Commission,” which would promote patriotic education.

EVENTS

Penn Hill Group plans to provide clients a summary of the following events next week:

September 23: Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on “COVID-19: An Update on the Federal Response”

September 23: House Committee on Science, Space & Technology Subcommittee hearing on “Data for Decision-Making: Responsible Management of Data During COVID-19 and Beyond”

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

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