Introduction by Barbara K. Mistick

Dear Colleagues,

As I’m sure most of you have read by now, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and the caucus leadership introduced sweeping legislation earlier this week to deal with the budget and debt ceiling.  Now that Republicans in the House have introduced their bill, we will see how President Biden responds. 

The bill proposes to increase the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion until March 31, 2024, or the new limit is reached, whichever comes first.  In exchange for an extension on the debt ceiling, the bill proposes to drastically cut spending this fiscal year, set 10-year discretionary spending caps, and prohibit the implementation of the Administration’s student loan forgiveness and income driven repayment proposals, among other things.

If enacted, the bill would reduce the amount available for appropriated funding this year and for a decade to come, which could make future increases in the federal student aid programs harder to achieve.  You can read more details in our lede story below.

NAICU has received questions about the impact that the end of the national pandemic emergency, which was signed on April 10, will have on colleges and universities.  Our government relations team hosted a webinar this week (recording and presentation slides) to highlight some of the topics you should be aware of as Washington works to wind down pandemic flexibilities.  I hope the webinar, and the resources included in the slides, along with our story below, help provide insights on what to expect.  I’d encourage you to pay particular attention to the information pertaining to HEERF resources.

Soundbites

• In an effort to counter the Biden Administration’s proposed rules on transgender athletes, the House passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act this week. The bill, which would amend Title IX to limit the ability of transgender athletes to participate on women’s sports teams, is unlikely to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate.

This week’s Washington Update also reports on Education Secretary Cardona testifying in the House about the Department’s proposed budget, which includes a request for an $820 increase to the Pell Grant maximum, Second Chance Pell, and separate grant opportunities offered by FEMA, the Department of Education, and the Department of Energy.

“I am a long-time supporter of Pell Grants and the TRIO program.  Pell Grants and participation in TRIO help first generation college students chart a course to a better future in the middle class.”

Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL)

“To make higher education accessible to even more students, we proudly fought to increase the maximum Pell Grant by $500, the most in more than a decade, for the second year in a row.”

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)

Both quotes were taken from the opening statements of Reps. Aderholt and DeLauro, as excerpted in our story below, during their subcommittee’s hearing with Secretary Cardona.

Barbara K. Mistick

Barbara

President
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities