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

HOUSE and SENATE

The House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution (CR) on Tuesday to keep the Federal government funded through December 11, 2020. At present the earliest the CR could pass the Senate is Tuesday, September 29. The Senate has a cloture vote scheduled for 5:30 pm that day.

The House Education and Labor Committee voted 26-16 to advance the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 (H.R.8294).

ADMINISTRATION

President Trump issued an executive order regarding race and sex stereotyping.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel is reportedly investigating whether U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos violated the Hatch Act.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED)’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) released its quarterly report this week.

ED has informed multiple Connecticut school districts that it plans to withhold certain Federal funds due to the schools allowing student athletes to participate on sports teams that match their gender identities.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED)’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) released its quarterly report this week, which indicated that no student loan borrowers entered into default during this quarter.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced its first group of Standards Recognition Entities (SREs) for industry-recognized apprenticeship programs (IRAPs).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released indicators to help schools make decisions about conducting in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on strengthening Federal efforts to combat COVID-19.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released a report on race and ethnicity of public school students and their teachers.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a proposed rule for public comment that would define a fixed term for international student visas with the opportunity to extend such terms.

The U.S. Department of Commerce American Workforce Policy Advisory Board (AWPAB) had its seventh meeting this week and released a progress report on learning employment records.

SUPREME COURT

Associate U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away last Friday. President Trump has stated he will likely announce his nomination to fill the Court’s vacancy on Saturday.

EVENTS

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

October 2:  House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis hybrid hearing with Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex M. Azar II

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

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