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

HOUSE and SENATE

The U.S Senate passed its Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget resolution.  The resolution instructs the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) to produce legislation that spends $726 billion over ten years and instructs the House Education and Labor committee to produce legislation that spends $779 billion over the same ten-year period. The House is expected to return the week of August 23^rd to consider the Senate passed resolution.

The Senate passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This bipartisan infrastructure bill includes provisions for more traditional infrastructure such as roads and bridges, as well as resources for broadband expansion.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) scheduled floor action on the nomination of James Kvaal to serve as Undersecretary of Education in the Biden Administration for when the Senate returns on September 13th.

ADMINISTRATION

The Biden Administration announced an extension of the existing moratorium on student loan interest, payments and collections through January 2022.

The U.S Department of Education (ED) approved six more State plans for the use of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds under the American Rescue Plan.

ED released a new legal interpretation that allows States more freedom to regulate Federal student loan servicers.

ED issued the list of nine topics upon which it intends to hold negotiated rulemaking this fall.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

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