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

HOUSE and SENATE

The Senate confirmed Cindy Marten to serve as Deputy Secretary of ED by a vote of 54-44.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted to advance the nominations of Jocelyn Samuels to serve as Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioner, Seema Nanda to serve as Solicitor for the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and Jennifer Abruzzo to serve as General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board.

On Monday evening a cloture vote is scheduled on the Endless Frontiers Act.

ADMINISTRATION

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) issued both a final regulation and guidance pertaining to Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) funds under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act.

The White House announced President Biden’s intent to nominate Catherine Lhamon for Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at ED.

A spokesperson for the Office of Management and Budget said that the President’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget request will be released on May 27.

The Federal Communications Commission and ED announced a joint outreach program to support the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program.

The Biden Administration announced a number of efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccinations in the United States, including  a partnership between Federal retail pharmacy partners and high-enrollment community colleges.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued guidance and released funds for the State and local fiscal recovery funds under the American Rescue Plan Act.

DOL announced it is accepting nominations for membership on the Workforce Information Advisory Council.

DOL announced it will reestablish the Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship and is accepting nominations for this Committee.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in adolescents 12 through 15 years of age.

The Institute of Education Sciences released its Monthly School Survey Dashboard for March 2021.

EVENTS

Penn Hill Group plans on providing clients a summary of the following events next week:

May 18: House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing – “The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Member Day”

May 18: House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing on “The Need for Universal Broadband: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic”

May 19: House Education and Labor Subcommittee Hearing on “Picking up the Pieces: Strengthening Connections with Students Experiencing Homelessness and Children in Foster Care”

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

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