Education

Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2025

Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act This bill requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to take certain actions to increase mathematical and statistical modeling education in elementary and secondary schools. First, the NSF must make competitive awards to institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations for research and development to support high-quality mathematical modeling education (e.g., data science and computational thinking) in schools. This authority to provide awards expires on September 30, 2029. Second, the NSF must seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study and report on mathematical and statistical modeling education in schools.

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States, States, cities, Tribal nations, businesses, institutions of higher education, and other institutions in the United States should work toward achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2025

A resolution to constitute the majority party's membership on certain committees for the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress, or until their successors are chosen.

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2025

This resolution designates the Senate majority party's membership for the 119th Congress on the following committees: the Committee on the Environment and Public Works; the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; the Committee on the Judiciary; the Select Committee on Intelligence; the Special Committee on Aging; the Joint Economic Committee; and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Salad Bars in Schools Expansion Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2025

Salad Bars in Schools Expansion Act This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish and implement a plan, including through a five-year program of competitive grants, to promote the use of salad bars in schools participating in the school lunch program. Priority in the award of grants may be given to entities (i.e., a school or a school food authority) that (1) serve schools in which at least 50% of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches, (2) serve schools in food deserts, or (3) provide nutrition education to students. Under the bill, food desert is defined as a census tract with a substantial share of residents who live in low-income areas that have low levels of access to a grocery store or a healthy, affordable food retail outlet. Eligible entities must use the grant funds to award schools a one-time payment for the anticipated cost of installing a salad bar, including the purchase of any required durable equipment. USDA must also submit a report to Congress that includes recommendations for promoting and establishing more salad bars in schools.

Affirming the role of the United States in improving access to quality, inclusive public education and improving learning outcomes for children and adolescents, particularly for girls, around the world.

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2025

This resolution commends the role of the U.S. government in improving access to quality, inclusive education, and improved learning outcomes for the poorest and most marginalized children and adolescents around the world. The resolution calls on the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to use all diplomatic, humanitarian, and developmental means to promote access to such quality education.

Protect American Election Administration Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2025

Protect American Election Administration Act of 2025 This bill generally prohibits a state from soliciting, receiving, or expending any payment or donation of funds, property, or personal services from a private entity for the purpose of administering a federal election. For example, the bill prohibits the use of these payments or donations for programs related to voter education, outreach, and registration. The prohibition shall not apply to a state's acceptance and use of a private entity's donation of space to be used for a polling place or an early voting site.

Protecting Life on College Campus Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Protecting Life on College Campus Act of 2025 This bill prohibits the award of federal funds to an institution of higher education (IHE) that hosts or is affiliated with a school-based service site that provides abortion drugs or abortions to its students or to employees of the IHE or the site. An IHE that hosts or is affiliated with a site must, in order to remain eligible for federal funds, annually certify that the site does not provide abortion drugs or abortions to students or employees.

Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 This bill revises requirements for milk provided by the National School Lunch Program of the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Currently, schools participating in the program must provide milk that is consistent with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans; USDA regulations require milk to be fat-free or low-fat and allow milk to be flavored or unflavored. The bill modifies these restrictions and instead permits schools to offer students whole, reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free flavored and unflavored milk. The milk that is offered may be organic or nonorganic. Further, schools currently must provide a substitute for fluid milk, on receipt of a written statement from a licensed physician, for students whose disability restricts their diet. Under the bill, a parent or legal guardian may also provide the written statement. In addition, schools currently participating in the program must provide meals that meet certain nutrition requirements; USDA regulations require that the average saturated fat content of the meals offered must be less than 10% of the total calories. Under the bill, fluid milk is excluded from the saturated fat content calculation; milk fat included in any fluid milk provided by the program must not be considered saturated fat for the purposes of measuring compliance with USDA regulations.

PEACE Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Protect Equality And Civics Education Act of 2025 or the PEACE Act of 2025 This bill prohibits the use of federal funding made available for the American History and Civics Education program to fund a curriculum, teaching, or counseling that promotes a divisive concept (e.g., race stereotyping or scapegoating) under the priorities noticed in the Department of Education's proposed rule titled Proposed Priorities-American History and Civics Education , published on April 19, 2021.

Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025 This bill extends death and disability benefits under the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program (PSOB) to certain public safety officers who suffer from exposure-related cancer while on duty and their survivors. The PSOB program provides death, disability, and education benefits to public safety officers who are killed or injured in the line of duty and their survivors. The bill specifies that exposure to a carcinogen shall be presumed to constitute a personal injury in the line of duty if the exposure occurred while the officer was in the line of duty; the officer began serving as an officer not fewer than 5 years before the date of the diagnosis of an exposure-related cancer and the diagnosis occurred not more than 15 years after the last date of active service; and the exposure-related cancer directly and proximately resulted in the death or permanent and total disability of the officer. The Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance must periodically review the definition of exposure-related cance r and update the definition if appropriate based on medical evidence and in accordance with the requirements of a petition process.

VA CPE Modernization Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Department of Veterans Affairs Continuing Professional Education Modernization Act or the VA CPE Modernization Act This bill modifies the program under which the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reimburses certain full-time health care professionals for continuing professional education expenses. Under current law, only board-certified physicians and dentists are eligible for such reimbursement. The bill expands the program to require reimbursement for various specified full-time health care professionals (e.g., registered nurses) and increases the amount available for a physician or dentist. Additionally, the bill removes the requirement that an individual be board-certified to receive reimbursement. The VA may adjust the amount of the reimbursement, so long as the adjustment does not result in a reimbursement of less than $2,000 per year for each specified position.

Expressing support for the designation of the week of January 26 through February 1, 2025, as "National School Choice Week".

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

This resolution supports the designation of National School Choice Week.

Preventing Financial Exploitation in Higher Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Preventing Financial Exploitation in Higher Education Act This bill establishes financial penalties for institutions of higher education (IHEs) with endowments of $2.5 billion or more that have specified percentages of current and former students who default, are delinquent, or underpay on their federal student loans. The bill also imposes an increased excise tax on net investment income of certain IHEs that increase tuition beyond certain levels. Specifically, the bill requires such an IHE to pay penalties to the Department of Education based on the IHE's cohort default rate (the percentage of how many borrowers default on their federal student loans in a fiscal year), cohort delinquency rate (the percentage of borrowers who are between 31- and 360-days past-due on their federal student loans), and cohort underpayment rate (the percentage of borrowers who are making regular payments on their federal student loans, are neither delinquent nor in default on those loans, but for whom the outstanding balances on their loans exceed the sum of the original loan balances). For example, for FY2025, an IHE with a cohort default rate of 11% or more must pay a penalty in an amount equal to 30% of the total outstanding balance of principal and interest due on all federal student loans. The bill also imposes an increased excise tax equal to 25% of the net investment income of an IHE with an endowment of $2.5 billion or more that charges tuition exceeding the inflation adjustment base amount for the taxable year.

Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 This bill revises requirements for milk provided by the National School Lunch Program of the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Currently, schools participating in the program must provide milk that is consistent with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans; USDA regulations require milk to be fat-free or low-fat and allow milk to be flavored or unflavored. The bill modifies these restrictions and instead permits schools to offer students whole, reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free flavored and unflavored milk. The milk that is offered may be organic or nonorganic. Further, USDA may not prohibit a participating school from offering students any of these milk choices. Further, schools currently must provide a substitute for fluid milk, on receipt of a written statement from a licensed physician, for students whose disability restricts their diet. Under the bill, a parent or legal guardian may also provide the written statement. In addition, schools currently participating in the program must provide meals that meet certain nutrition requirements; USDA regulations require that the average saturated fat content of the meals offered must be less than 10% of the total calories. Under the bill, fluid milk is excluded from the saturated fat content calculation; milk fat included in any fluid milk provided by the program must not be considered saturated fat for the purposes of measuring compliance with USDA regulations. Finally, the bill prohibits schools participating in the program from purchasing or offering milk produced by Chinese state-owned enterprises.

SAFE Grilling Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2025

Strengthening Awareness and Funding Education for Grilling Act or SAFE Grilling Act This bill requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to develop and implement a public awareness campaign about the dangers associated with cooking using a grill and best practices for using a grill safely to prevent injuries and fires.

Protecting Life on College Campus Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2025

Protecting Life on College Campus Act of 2025 This bill prohibits the award of federal funds to an institution of higher education (IHE) that hosts or is affiliated with a school-based service site that provides abortion drugs or abortions to its students or to employees of the IHE or the site. An IHE that hosts or is affiliated with a site must, in order to remain eligible for federal funds, annually certify that the site does not provide abortion drugs or abortions to students or employees.

Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2025

Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) and institutions of higher education (IHEs) participating in federal student aid programs to distribute information on how to report alleged violations of civil rights under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs or activities.) Specifically, the bill requires ED's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to conduct a public awareness campaign regarding the rights of individuals under Title VI. This campaign must be updated annually and distributed to IHEs. The bill requires an IHE to post a link on its website on how to file a Title VI complaint with OCR. Additionally, the IHE must annually post the materials from OCR's public awareness campaign. The information must be posted in high-traffic public places on campus (e.g., student centers) and high-traffic websites (e.g., the website for student services).  OCR must give monthly congressional briefings on (1) the number of complaints filed with OCR, (2) how OCR plans to address those complaints and the investigations opened in response to those complaints, and (3) how long those complaints remain open. Additionally, the bill prohibits OCR from closing or dismissing a complaint due to resolution via another agency or avenue.  The bill also requires annual reporting by IHEs on discrimination complaints. Further, the bill directs ED's Office of Inspector General to audit and study discrimination complaints.

Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2025

Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide states and tribal entities with grants to increase access to licensed child care services. The grants may be used to develop and expand the child care workforce or child care facilities in locations with insufficient available child care. Specifically, grants cover 50% of the cost of programs to support the education and training of caregivers or projects to build, expand, or renovate child care facilities in these areas.

Protecting School Milk Choices Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2025

Protecting School Milk Choices Act of 2025 This bill revises requirements for milk provided by the National School Lunch Program of the Department of Agriculture. Currently, schools participating in the program may provide flavored and unflavored fluid milk and lactose-free fluid milk. Under the bill, these schools must provide students flavored and unflavored fluid milk. These schools maintain the discretion to offer lactose-free fluid milk.  

Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2025

Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide states and tribal entities with grants to increase access to licensed child care services. The grants may be used to develop and expand the child care workforce or child care facilities in locations with insufficient available child care. Specifically, grants cover 50% of the cost of programs to support the education and training of caregivers or projects to build, expand, or renovate child care facilities in these areas.

Student Empowerment Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2025

Student Empowerment Act This bill expands the education-related expenses that may be paid for with tax-free distributions from a qualified tuition program (also known as a 529 plan) to include certain expenses related to elementary, secondary, and homeschool education. Under current law, distributions from a 529 plan are excluded from gross income if they are used to pay for qualified higher education expenses, which includes up to $10,000 (per year and per beneficiary) for tuition at an elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school. The bill expands the education-related expenses that may be paid for with tax-free distributions from a 529 plan to include tuition related to homeschooling and the following expenses related to elementary, secondary, and homeschool education: curriculum and curricular materials, books or other instructional materials, online educational materials, tutoring or educational classes outside the home, testing fees, fees for dual enrollment in an institution of higher education, and educational therapies for students with disabilities.

Cleaner Air Spaces Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2025

Cleaner Air Spaces Act of 2025 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to provide grants to air pollution control agencies, including at least one tribal agency with jurisdiction over air quality, to implement cleaner air space programs (i.e., programs to provide clean air to the public during wildland fire smoke events). Generally, such programs must be located in areas at risk of exposure to wildland fire smoke and must help provide educational materials, clean air centers (i.e., one or more clean air rooms in a publicly accessible building), and air filtration systems to certain households. Clean air rooms are rooms designed to keep levels of harmful air pollutants as low as possible during wildland fire smoke events. Under the bill, air pollution control agencies must partner with at least one community-based organization in implementing such programs.

BLUE Pacific Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2025

Boosting Long-term U.S. Engagement in the Pacific Act or the BLUE Pacific Act This bill requires or authorizes activities to strengthen U.S. relations with Pacific Islands countries, which include the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu. The bill authorizes various activities in the Pacific Islands, including to assist in improving public health outcomes and build public health capacity; assist in promoting the dissemination of free and accurate information; promote educational and professional development for young adult leaders and professionals; provide assistance to promote sustainable and quality basic education; assist with workforce development; build the capacity of local civilian and national security institutions; expand trade and promote regional development; enhance preparedness for and resilience to natural disasters and other emergencies; support sustainable fisheries policies and marine biodiversity conservation; support expanded access to broadband and telecommunications infrastructure; and support cybersecurity, including by assisting with development and implementation of incident response plans. The bill also requires (1) the Department of State to help Pacific Island countries access development support from international organizations, (2) the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to prioritize efforts to enter into investment incentive agreements with Pacific Islands countries, and (3) the Department of Commerce to expand the presence of the U.S. Commercial Service and increase the number foreign commercial service officers in the Pacific Islands. The President may extend certain diplomatic privileges, exemptions, and immunities to the Pacific Islands Forum, an international organization of 18 countries in the Pacific.

Cleaner Air Spaces Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2025

Cleaner Air Spaces Act of 2025 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to provide grants to air pollution control agencies, including at least one tribal agency with jurisdiction over air quality, to implement cleaner air space programs (i.e., programs to provide clean air to the public during wildland fire smoke events). Generally, such programs must be located in areas at risk of exposure to wildland fire smoke and must help provide educational materials, clean air centers (i.e., one or more clean air rooms in a publicly accessible building), and air filtration units to certain households. Clean air rooms are rooms designed to keep levels of harmful air pollutants as low as possible during wildland fire smoke events. Under the bill, air pollution control agencies must partner with at least one community-based organization in implementing such programs.

Protecting Higher Education from the Chinese Communist Party Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Protecting Higher Education from the Chinese Communist Party Act of 2025 This bill prohibits certain members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and their families from receiving an F (academic student) or J (exchange visitor) visa. Specifically, this prohibition shall apply to any CCP member who has served in any position in the CCP since this bill's enactment. The prohibition shall also apply to a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandchild, niece, or nephew of such an individual. These prohibitions do not apply if an individual must be admitted for compliance with the United Nations headquarters agreement or other international obligations.  The President may waive these prohibitions by certifying to Congress that the waiver is in the U.S. national interest.

PRECEPT Nurses Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Providing Real-World Education and Clinical Experience by Precepting Tomorrow's Nurses Act or the PRECEPT Nurses Act This bill establishes a new, nonrefundable tax credit for eligible nurse preceptors, subject to limitations. The bill also requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to report to Congress certain information about the tax credit for nurse preceptors. Under the bill, a nonrefundable tax credit of $2,000 is allowed for an eligible nurse preceptor through 2032. An eligible nurse preceptor is defined as an individual who provides at least 200 certified hours of supervision and personalized experiential learning, training, instruction, and mentoring in the clinical practice of nursing to a nursing student, advanced practice registered nursing student, or newly hired licensed nurse in a community designated as a health professional shortage area.  The bill also requires the IRS to report to Congress the number of taxpayers that claim the tax credit for nurse preceptors each year and the geographic distribution of such taxpayers, aggregated and averaged data on the preceptorships served by taxpayers as an eligible nurse preceptor, and the effectiveness of the tax credit in increasing the number of nurse preceptors in the United States.

FASD Respect Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Advancing FASD Research, Services and Prevention Act or the FASD Respect Act This bill reauthorizes and modifies programs that are administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), including educational and research programs. The bill also establishes FASD Centers for Excellence to support FASD prevention, such as through screenings, public awareness campaigns, and trainings, particularly at the state and local levels.

Veterans Collaboration Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Veterans Collaboration Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a two-year pilot program to promote and encourage partnerships between the VA and nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher learning. Specifically, the VA must encourage partnerships between (1) veterans service organizations that provide credentialed personnel to assist veterans with legal needs, and (2) law schools that provide pro bono legal assistance and legal services to veterans.

Food Deserts Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Food Deserts Act This bill establishes a grant program within the Department of Agriculture to reduce food deserts. Under the program, grants are provided to states for revolving funds that support the establishment and operation of grocery stores in underserved communities. Underserved communities are communities that have (1) limited access to affordable, healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, in grocery retail stores or farmer-to-consumer direct markets; and (2) a high rate of hunger, a high rate of food insecurity, or a high poverty rate. The bill requires states to use such funds for loans that support grocery stores in underserved communities, including for opening a store (excluding new construction), or supporting an existing store. In order to qualify for loans, grocery stores must meet criteria enumerated in the bill. For example, grocery stores must (1) emphasize unprocessed, healthful foods; (2) provide staple foods and a variety of raw fruits and vegetables; and (3) charge affordable prices at or below market values. Further, states must prioritize loan applications from entities that meet criteria related to hiring workers from the underserved community, providing classes or educational information about a healthful diet, sourcing food from local urban farms and gardens, and demonstrating existing supply chain relationships in the grocery industry.

No Foreign Gifts Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

No Foreign Gifts Act of 2025 This bill prohibits an institution of higher education (IHE) from receiving federal education funds if the IHE receives gifts from certain countries. Specifically, the bill prohibits an IHE from receiving a gift from (1) China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran; or (2) a country that has provided material support to a foreign terrorist organization, as determined by the Department of State. The bill also requires an IHE, as a condition of eligibility for federal education funds, to report any offer of a gift from such a foreign country.

To amend the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014 to make improvements to the Federal Cyber Scholarship for Service Program, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

This bill makes certain changes to the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program, including increasing available scholarship amounts to cover up to five years of eligible tuition.  The program offers scholarships to students pursuing higher education in cybersecurity and related fields, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and aerospace. Under current law, the scholarship covers up to three years of tuition. Recipients must generally commit to work in cybersecurity for a government agency or institution of higher education following completion of their degree program for a period equivalent to the duration of the scholarship. If a recipient fails to fulfill the postgraduation work requirements, some or all of the scholarship must be repaid or treated as a loan.  The bill also provides statutory authority for the National Science Foundation to treat as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan the full amount of any scholarship award that is treated as a loan. Under current law, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are subject to certain conditions (e.g., interest rates and repayment schedules) and are eligible for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. 

Recognizing and honoring the work of community organizations and individuals who create and maintain services and educational programs for marginalized groups ensuring the resilience and prosperity of members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

This resolution recognizes the necessity and work of those who create LGBTQIA+ community spaces with the goals of equality and commends those who foster community partnerships between marginalized groups and local resources.

Honoring Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., on reaching the historic milestone of 105 years of scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood.

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

This resolution congratulates and commends Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. on 105 years of scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood.

Young Americans Financial Literacy Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Young Americans Financial Literacy Act This bill requires the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to award competitive grants to eligible institutions for the establishment of financial literacy education programs for young people and families. An  eligible institution is a partnership among two or more of the following: an institution of higher education; a state or local government agency specializing in financial education; a nonprofit agency, organization, or association; a financial institution; or another small organization. Authorized grant funded activities shall include developing and implementing comprehensive, research based, financial-literacy education programs for young people; developing and supporting the delivery of professional development programs in financial literacy education; developing educational programs to reduce student loan default rates; and conducting ongoing research and evaluation of financial literacy education programs. The grant program shall terminate after FY2029.

No Subsidies for Wealthy Universities Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025

No Subsidies for Wealthy Universities Act This bill limits the indirect costs that are allowable under federal research awards to institutions of higher education (IHEs) with endowments above specified thresholds. (Generally, indirect costs represent expenses that are not specific to a research project but are needed to maintain the infrastructure and administrative support for federally funded research.) Specifically, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) must annually collect information regarding the endowments of each IHE that has entered into a program participation agreement with the Department of Education. With this collected information, NCES must identify and make lists of (1) each IHE with an endowment of more than $5 billion, and (2) each IHE with an endowment of more than $2 billion (but not more than $5 billion). NCES must submit these lists to the Office of Management and Budget, which must then distribute the lists to federal agencies, Congress, and the public. The bill establishes the following limits on the indirect costs allowable under federal research awards: for an IHE with an endowment of more than $5 billion, the IHE is prohibited from using these awards for indirect costs; for an IHE with an endowment of more than $2 billion (but not more than $5 billion), the IHE is limited to an indirect cost rate of 8%; and for all other IHEs, an indirect cost rate of 15%. The Government Accountability Office must annually report to Congress on indirect cost reimbursement on federal research awards for IHEs.

Honoring Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®, on reaching the historic milestone of 117 years of serving communities.

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025

This resolution congratulates and commends Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. for its 117 years of service.

Department of Education Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025

Department of Education Protection Act This bill prohibits the use of appropriated funds made available to the Department of Education (ED) to decentralize, reduce the staffing level of, or alter the responsibilities or functionality of ED compared to its organization or operation on January 1, 2025.

Endowment Tax Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025

Endowment Tax Fairness Act This bill increases the excise tax on the net investment income of certain private university and college endowments.  Under current law, certain private universities and colleges with 500 or more tuition-paying students (of which more than 50% are located in the United States) and endowments that are at least $500,000 per student pay an excise tax in the amount of 1.4% on the net investment income from such endowments. The bill increases the amount of the excise tax to 21% of the net investment income from such university and college endowments.  Further, the bill provides that amounts collected from the increase to the excise tax on the net investment income from such university and college endowments are (1) to be deposited into the general fund of the Treasury; and (2) used to reduce the national deficit and, subsequently, the national debt. 

Protecting Higher Education from Foreign Threats Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025

Protecting Higher Education from Foreign Threats Act This bill prohibits an institution of higher education (IHE) from receiving federal funds for an award year in which the IHE employs an instructor who, while employed at the IHE and providing direct instruction to students, received funds from the Chinese Community Party. An IHE may regain eligibility for federal funds by demonstrating to the Department of Education that it no longer employs such instructor.

Federal Grant Accountability Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025

Federal Grant Accountability Act This bill limits the indirect costs that are allowable under federal research awards to institutions of higher education (IHEs). (Generally, indirect costs represent expenses that are not specific to a research project but are needed to maintain the infrastructure and administrative support for federally funded research.) Specifically, the total amount of indirect costs allowable under a federal research award may not exceed the total amount of indirect costs allowable under private research awards. The Office of Management and Budget must determine the average indirect cost rate applicable to private research awards. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must study and report on (1) the indirect cost rates allowable under federal research awards to IHEs, including awards made by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and other such organizations; and (2) the indirect cost rates allowable under private research awards to IHEs.

Mel’s Law

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025

Mel's Law This bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student aid programs to establish policies for awarding posthumous degrees. Specifically, the IHE must certify that it has a policy to award a posthumous degree to a deceased student who (1) was enrolled in a degree program at the IHE; (2) died prior to completing such program; and (3) at the time of death, was in academic standing consistent with the requirements for graduation from such program (as determined by the IHE). The bill prohibits accrediting agencies from taking into consideration the number of posthumous degrees awarded to deceased students by the IHE. (Under current law, an IHE must be accredited by an accrediting agency to participate in federal student aid programs.)

PROTECT Jewish Student and Faculty Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025

Promote Restoring Order To End Campus Targeting of Jewish Students and Faculty Act or the PROTECT Jewish Student and Faculty Act This bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student aid programs to adopt a standard definition of anti-Semitism in their student and employee codes of conduct and prohibit such conduct on campus. Specifically, the IHE must include in its documents related to student and employee conduct a definition of anti-Semitism which states that (1) anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews; and (2) rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism may be directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals, including the property of such individuals, and Jewish community institutions and religious facilities. (This definition is the same as the working definition of anti-Semitism from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.) Additionally, the IHE must include in such documents a statement that anti-Semitic conduct is prohibited on campus and that such conduct may result in expulsion or termination of employment.

Student Visa Security Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025

Student Visa Security Improvement Act This bill establishes new requirements for foreign student visas and participating educational institutions.  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must review the applications of student visa applicants and conduct in-person interviews when appropriate to determine whether they are inadmissible due to terrorist-related activities. DHS must also conduct on-site reviews of applications and supporting documents deemed appropriate prior to final adjudication. Institutions and exchange student visitor programs must ensure that student visa-holders are active participants in the program. Students must be regularly observed and must be reported on if they transfer or change majors. The bill also provides for enhanced access to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System for institutions and programs that meet staffing and training requirements. The Government Accountability Office must review the fees for the Student and Exchange Visitor program.

To acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of veterans of the Vietnam war and formally apologize for the treatment they received upon returning home.

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025

This joint resolution recognizes the sacrifice of veterans of the Vietnam War and commends them for their sacrifice to the United States. The joint resolution also urges the President to formally acknowledge the widespread mistreatment of such veterans as part of the ongoing Vietnam War Commemoration and issue a formal apology to the veterans and their families. Additionally, the joint resolution expresses urgent support for increased education to better reflect the sacrifice and treatment of Vietnam veterans.

Electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.

United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025

This resolution elects Members to the following standing committees: Armed Services Education and Workforce Energy and Commerce Homeland Security Judiciary Oversight and Government Reform Rules Small Business Transportation and Infrastructure Veterans' Affairs 

PRECEPT Nurses Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025

Providing Real-world Education and Clinical Experience by Precepting Tomorrow's Nurses Act or the PRECEPT Nurses Act This bill establishes a new, nonrefundable tax credit for eligible nurse preceptors, subject to limitations. The bill also requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to report to Congress certain information about the tax credit for nurse preceptors. Under the bill, a nonrefundable tax credit of $2,000 is allowed for an eligible nurse preceptor through 2032. An eligible nurse preceptor is defined as an individual who provides at least 200 certified hours of supervision and personalized experiential learning, training, instruction, and mentoring in the clinical practice of nursing to a nursing student, advanced practice registered nursing student, or newly hired licensed nurse in a community designated as a health professional shortage area.  The bill also requires the IRS to report to Congress the number of taxpayers that claim the tax credit for nurse preceptors each year and the geographic distribution of such taxpayers, aggregated and averaged data on the preceptorships served by taxpayers as an eligible nurse preceptor, and the effectiveness of the tax credit in increasing the number of nurse preceptors in the United States.

Electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.

United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025

This resolution elects Members to the committees on Appropriations; Education and Workforce; Homeland Security; Rules; Small Business; and Transportation and Infrastructure.

ACCESS Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025

Allowing Contractors to Choose Employees for Select Skills Act or the ACCESS Act This bill prohibits federal contract bid solicitations for contractor personnel from including minimum educational requirements unless the contracting officer justifies the requirements. The prohibition applies to educational requirements that may be met through education alone, education or experience, or a combination of education and experience. The bill also requires the Office of Management and Budget to issue implementing guidance to federal agencies, including instructions for contracting officers that encourage using alternatives to education requirements.

Voluntary School Prayer Protection Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025

Voluntary School Prayer Protection Act of 2025 This bill prohibits the Department of Education (ED) from providing funding for public schools that restrict voluntary school prayer. Specifically, the bill prohibits ED from providing funds to state or local educational agencies with policies that deny, or effectively prevent, individuals from voluntarily participating in public school prayer that is constitutionally protected.

States’ Education Reclamation Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025

States' Education Reclamation Act of 2025 This bill abolishes the Department of Education (ED) and repeals any program for which it has administrative responsibility. The Department of the Treasury must provide grants to states, for FY2025-FY2033, for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education purposes permitted by state law. The level of funding is set at the amount provided to states for federal elementary and secondary education programs and the amount provided for federal postsecondary education programs, respectively, for FY2025, minus the funding provided for education programs that the bill transfers to other federal agencies. States must contract for an annual audit of their expenditures or transfers of grant funds. Program administrative responsibility and delegation of authority are transferred as follows: ED's job training programs to the Department of Labor, each special education grant program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), ED's Indian education programs to the Department of the Interior, each Impact Aid program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to the Department of Defense, the Federal Pell Grant program and each federal student loan program to Treasury, and programs under the jurisdiction of the Institute of Education Sciences or the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program to HHS. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on (1) the feasibility of reducing the federal tax burden and eliminating federal involvement in providing grants for education programs, and (2) the feasibility of successor federal agencies maintaining transferred education programs.