ADMINISTRATION

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a final rule limiting F-1 and J-1 students’ stay in the U.S. to four years unless they receive an approved extension, replacing the previous policy that allowed students to remain in the country for the duration of their academic program.

POLITICO reported that the Small Business Administration is considering starting a new program for student borrowers.

CONGRESS

The House Education and Workforce Committee marked up H.R. 9607, the Less Bureaucracy, Better Workforce Development Act; H.R. 9610, the Less Bureaucracy, Better K-12 Education Act; H.R. 9611, the Less Bureaucracy, Better Higher Education Act; H.R. 9605, the Less Bureaucracy, Better Foreign Medical Accreditation Act; H.R. 9604, the Less Bureaucracy, Better Tribal Education Act; H.R. 9606, the Less Bureaucracy, Better Child Care for Student Parents Act; H.R. 9603, the Less Bureaucracy, Better International Education Oversight Act; H.R. 9602, the Less Bureaucracy, Better Foreign Gift Transparency Act; H.R. 9608, the Less Bureaucracy, Better Family Engagement Act; and H.R. 9609, the Less Bureaucracy, Better Student Aid Act. H.R. 9607, H.R. 9609, H.R. 9603 and H.R. 9610 passed by a 19 to 16 vote. H.R. 9602, H.R. 9605, H.R. 9606 and H.R. 9611 passed by a 20 to 16 vote. Finally, H.R. 9608 and H.R. 9604 passed by a 20 to 15 vote. The bills can now proceed to the House floor for consideration.

House leadership released the bill text of a continuing resolution for fiscal year 2027, extending government funding and operations through December 4. The bill may be considered on the House floor next week.

Senate Appropriations Committee Member Lindsey Graham (R-SC) passed away at the age of 71. Shortly after, Sen. Graham’s sister, Darline Graham, was appointed by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster (R) and sworn into the Senate to finish the remainder of her late brother’s term.

EVENTS

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

July 21: House Education and Labor Committee Markup of, “H.R. 8781, H.R. 4986, H.R. 8747, H.R. 8183, H.R. 9723, H.R. 8660, H.R. 8347, H.R. 6213, H.R. 8775, and H.R. 5267.”