February 16, 2023
Senate Committees Organized for 118th Congress
The Senate finalized committee assignments and leaders recently, taking a bit longer than the House due to retirements and movement of senior members between committees. Because there are only 100 senators, it is common for them to sit on multiple committees, unlike in the House. There are many senators on both sides of the aisle who sit on two or more of the committees with jurisdiction over issues of interest to higher education.
Following is an overview of the committees of particular interest to NAICU, with links to committee rosters:
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP)
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) moves from the Budget Committee to Chair of the HELP Committee, with Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) in a new role as Ranking Member. Regarding higher education, Sen. Sanders is expected to continue his interest in free public college, student loan debt forgiveness, and institutional accountability. Sen. Cassidy is an original sponsor of the College Transparency Act and will maintain his interest in student data and outcomes in higher education.
Appropriations
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) moves from the HELP Committee Chair to lead the Appropriations Committee, with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) as Ranking Member. They issued a joint statement earlier this year pledging to work in a bipartisan fashion to fund critical government programs. The Subcommittee on Labor-HHS-Education, which funds the student aid programs, will be chaired by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) with Ranking Member Senator Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV).
Budget
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has a new role as Chair of the Budget Committee, with Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) leading the Republicans. Sen. Whitehouse has touted climate change as a top issue for him. More broadly, the Senate Budget Committee will have a key role in determining the direction of any fiscal reforms related to the debt ceiling debate.
Finance
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) continues his role as Chair of the Finance Committee, with Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) as Ranking Member. Sen. Wyden has historically been supportive of the higher education tax benefits, including expanding IRC Sec. 127 employer-provided education and student loan repayment assistance. However, his current plans for the Finance Committee include focusing on trade policies with China, international tax policies, and other policies that will help the U.S. economy to continue to recover from the pandemic.
Veterans
Senator John Tester (D-MT) continues as Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee, with Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) as Ranking Member. This committee and its leaders will continue its bipartisan approach to supporting veterans.
Following is an overview of the committees of particular interest to NAICU, with links to committee rosters:
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP)
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) moves from the Budget Committee to Chair of the HELP Committee, with Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) in a new role as Ranking Member. Regarding higher education, Sen. Sanders is expected to continue his interest in free public college, student loan debt forgiveness, and institutional accountability. Sen. Cassidy is an original sponsor of the College Transparency Act and will maintain his interest in student data and outcomes in higher education.
Appropriations
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) moves from the HELP Committee Chair to lead the Appropriations Committee, with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) as Ranking Member. They issued a joint statement earlier this year pledging to work in a bipartisan fashion to fund critical government programs. The Subcommittee on Labor-HHS-Education, which funds the student aid programs, will be chaired by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) with Ranking Member Senator Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV).
Budget
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has a new role as Chair of the Budget Committee, with Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) leading the Republicans. Sen. Whitehouse has touted climate change as a top issue for him. More broadly, the Senate Budget Committee will have a key role in determining the direction of any fiscal reforms related to the debt ceiling debate.
Finance
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) continues his role as Chair of the Finance Committee, with Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) as Ranking Member. Sen. Wyden has historically been supportive of the higher education tax benefits, including expanding IRC Sec. 127 employer-provided education and student loan repayment assistance. However, his current plans for the Finance Committee include focusing on trade policies with China, international tax policies, and other policies that will help the U.S. economy to continue to recover from the pandemic.
Veterans
Senator John Tester (D-MT) continues as Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee, with Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) as Ranking Member. This committee and its leaders will continue its bipartisan approach to supporting veterans.
For more information, please contact:
Stephanie T. Giesecke