The committee will please come to order. A quorum is present. The committee meets today pursuant to notice to consider four bills. The chair announces that requests for recorded votes may be postponed pursuant
to clause two of rule 11 of the rules of the House of Representatives and committee rule 14B. Without objection, the chair may recess the committee at any point. It's no secret that uh public trust in
postsecary education continues to wne. A Pew Research study a few months ago found that 70% of Americans think higher education is going in the wrong direction. An increase of nearly 15% since 2020.
A political poll uh last week revealed that only 25% of Americans think college is worth the cost. And shockingly, 60% of college graduates graduates say it wasn't worth it.
More and more students are wondering if they should even enter postsecary education at all. Postsecary education is a promise. The students who invest their time and money will receive an education worth it. I'm proud that this
committee has been at the forefront of restoring trust in the promise. Reforms in the working families tax cuts made real progress and today I'm excited to address four more bills that will benefit students as they continue their
journey to enter the workforce. First, we're making sure homeschoolers have the same access to higher higher education as everyone else. About 3 to 4% of students are homeschooled and research research shows that they often
outperform their public school peers or private school peers for that matter. That success continues at the college level. Homeschoolers tend to perform better on the ACT, stay in college longer, and attain higher college GPA.
However, under current law, the Higher Education Act classifies homeschoolers as quote students who are not high school graduates end quote. That's misleading. Students who meet state and local law
requirements are in fact high school graduates. HR6392, the Homeschool Graduation Recognition Act by Representative Mark Harris, clarifies that simple fact. Second, HR6472
introduced by Representative Molen helps students from US territories like Guam get instate tuition rates at public colleges and universities. Our American territories in the Pacific like Guam play a strategic role in
protecting American interests in the Pacific, particularly against Chinese Communist Party actions. Due to economic constraints and geographic isolation, many residents of US territories have
limited opportunities to pursue post-secary education, harming the workforce. This bill opens the door to advanced training and degrees that may not have otherwise been available. As more students receive post-secary
credentials, more of those students can decide to return to the territories after graduation, bringing skills and networks back home to benefit their local communities and economies.
Third and fourth, both bills focus on price transparency. College is one of the biggest financial decisions that a student and family will make, but college pricing remains confusing. HR6498,
the student financial clarity act introduced by representatives Brett Guthrie and Bob Ander, improved the college scorecard to provide more information about college costs and student outcomes for for prospective students. It also creates a universal
net price calculator tool. so students can estimate their expected costs over the length of the program. HR6502, the College Financial Aid Clarity Act, introduced by Representative Lisa Mlan and Young Kim, ensures colleges cannot
mislead uh students on financial aid offers. A 2022 report from the Government Accountability Office found that 91% of colleges failed to follow best practicing practices in their
financial aid offers to students with some colleges deceptively portraying loans as grants that students would not have to repay. Although some colleges have since made improvements, this bill covers all institutions and gives
students the clear information they need to make informed decisions. Some accuse Republicans of limiting access to higher education. That's not true. We want all students to have access to the post-secary path that's
best for them and their families. Too many students face bureaucracy, hidden costs, and student debt for programs that don't deliver a return on investment. These bills will take important steps to fix that. I hope my colleagues will join
me in supporting them. And with that, I yield to the ranking member for his opening statement. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today we're here to mark up four education bills intended to increase transparency and
access to higher education. First bill under consideration is the Homeschool Graduation Recognition Act, which essentially restates and clarifies the current law allowing homeschool students to be eligible for federal student aid. Under federal law, homeschool students
are eligible for federal student student aid. The Higher Education Act specifically allows students who complete a homeschool program recognized under their state's law to qualify for title 4 aid, including PEL grants and federal student loans. Each state sets
its own requirements for the education of homeschool students. There's a wide variance in what the states require with some states like Texas not even requiring any courses in science or history. But HA confirms that homeschoolers must meet eligibility
requirements, whatever they are in their state, to receive federal aid if educated according to those state rules, but continues to allow schools to set their own admission standards for students, including those educated at
home. Again, it's my understanding the bill does not make any substantive changes to the present law, but further restates and clarifies what is already required by the Higher Education Act. I'll have an amendment that further clarifies the bill's provisions
specifically to point out that they apply to the federal student aid eligibility under title 4 and HA. And that addition, I'll vote in favor of the bill. Next bill we'll consider amends the higher education act to require public colleges and universities to
provide instate tuition for certain residents of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands. I support the initiative in principle, but we cannot ignore that states and public colleges set their own
tuition rates based on state budgets and priorities. Democrats will propose an amendment to help offset these costs by providing federal funding similar to the District of Columbia tuition assistance grant, the DC TAG program, which
supports DC residents with up to $10,000 per year for a total of $50,000 to pay the difference between the higher outofstate tuition and the lower instate tuition at public universities, which is necessary because Washington DC does not
have an adequate number of public universities. It is the federal government's responsibility to shoulder the cost of this mandate rather than shift that mandate and cost to other states who are already facing uh strain
financial strain. Urge my colleagues to support the amendment and the bill. The um next we will consider the student financial clarity act HR6498 which amends the higher education act to expand the data requirements of the
college scoreboard and establish a universal net price calculator. And while transparency is vital, we need to acknowledge that the Trump administration is actively dismantling the Department of Education. As of now, the Institute of Education Sciences,
which used to have hundreds of um almost 200 employees, now only has a handful. We can How can they possibly handle the workload from this bill, which would require them to manage data from thousands of colleges and universities on top of their current
responsibilities? In light of this, I'll propose an amendment to ensure that we will provide adequate resources to the department, including funding for IIEES, the Office of Federal Student Aid, and the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy
Development to actually implement these changes. So, we'll we'll be offering amendments that require education department to do the work at the department and not farm it out to other agencies, mandating that the universal
net price calculator show how the student aid cuts from the big ugly bill will actually impact students and codifying recent gainful employment and financial value transparency regulations. These amendments are the very least we could do to improve the
legislation. And finally, HR6502, the College Financial Aid Clarity Act, requires institutions to provide information on students financial aid officers off offers including estimated costs, grants, scholarships, and loan
information. Financial aid offers are documents provided by colleges and universities to students that detail the amount and types of aid the school is offering. Financial aid off offers essentially financial aid offers are essential for helping students and
families understand the cost of college and make better informed decisions. It's worth noting that under the current federal law, colleges and universities are required to disclose information to students and families on the cost of attending the institution. And that
should that has to include tuition fees, books, supplies, room and board, transportation costs, and any additional costs of the program that a student is enrolled in. And while this bill attempts to improve transparency, its focus on averages rather than individual
cost disclosures would negatively impact the students ability to compare aid officers across institutions. The shift towards institutional level rep reporting could make it harder for families to make informed decisions about the true cost of college as
institutions will need to provide more information which would actually cause more confusion. Though acknowledge though I acknowledge my colleagues efforts on the other side of the aisle, this bill still needs further improvements to ensure that students and families can easily compare college
costs and aid information. to to improve the proposal. Uh, Democrats are prepared to offer amendments to require the Department of Education to perform the work the bill authorizes rather than forming it out to other agencies to promote greater standardization and
simpler forms for students to make real applesto apples aid offer comparisons. Um, and hopefully those amendments will be adopted. And because before I close, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that while I recognize the good intent behind these bills, I'm disappointed that
they're being considered after the Republicans have already passed that big ugly bill earlier this year. That bill made college even more unaffordable and unattainable for millions of Americans. It eliminated graduate uh plus loans,
caps parent plus loans, and limits access to PEL grants. also pushes requires students to consider predatory private loan market with higher interest rates and fewer protections. It's difficult to reconcile that harmful reg
legislation with today's efforts. Now, uh we are all aware of the polls that show that many believe that college is not worth the cost. Uh the solution should not be to make um to to just
ignore the fact. We should make college more affordable rather than have students cut their education short because they can't afford the cost. Bills that explain the cost do not reduce the cost any more
than a as a farmer would say weighing the pig does not make the pig fatter. With that, Mr. Mr. Chairman, I yield back. >> I thank the gentleman. Without objection, all members who wish to insert written opening statements
into the record may do so by submitting them to the committee clerk electronically by the end of the day today. Pursuant to the House rules, a copy of the text to be marked up was made available to members and the public at
least 24 hours in advance. The bills being marked up today shall be open to amendment at any point and the chair will allow members to offer amendments in a manner not prohibited by the House committee rules. Without objection,
members who have more than one amendment to the bills and wish to offer their amendments on block may do so. The committee will now proceed to consideration of the bill HR6392 for amendment. The bill was circulated
in advance and printed copies are available. Without objection, uh the first reading of the bill is dispensed with. The clerk will designate uh the bill. HR 6392, a bill to amend the Higher Education Act
of 1965 to recognize students who have completed secondary school education in a homeschool setting as high school graduates and for other purposes. >> Again, without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with. Without objection, the bill will be considered as read and open for
amendment at any point, and any amendment offered shall be considered as read. Does anyone seek to be recognized? Representative Harris, for what purpose do you seek recognition? >> Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk. >> The clerk shall designate the amendment
in the nature of a substitute? >> Amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 6392 offered by Mr. Harris of North Carolina, identifier ANS_HR6392. >> Without objection, the amendment shall be considered an original text for purposes of further amendment. Uh the
amendment in the nature of a substitute has already been distributed. I now recognize Mr. Harris for five minutes to explain the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I offer an amendment in the nature of a substitute for my legislation, the homeschool
graduation recognition act, which really makes technical changes to my bill to ensure homeschool students diplomas are fairly recognized by all colleges. Mr. Mr. Chairman, no student should ever face discrimination during the college
admissions process simply because they were homeschooled. Across this nation, 3 million homeschooled students are educated by devoted parents who pour their hearts, time, and resources into their children's future. In my home state of North Carolina alone, there we
have 165,000 homeschoolers. students who work hard, excel academically, and deserve to compete on a level playing field. And yet, some colleges still treat these young men and women as secondclass applicants. Instead of accepting the homeschool diplomas that
comply with state law, they demand excessive documentation. They impose unnecessary testing. They may even force legally graduated homeschoolers to take the GED as if their education counted for less simply because it took it took
place at the kitchen table instead of inside a government building. This discrimination is wrong. It contradicts congressional intent and it must end. The Homeschool Graduation Recognition Act brings clarity to the law to ensure
that lawful homeschool graduates are recognized as legitimate high school graduates. The Higher Education Act clearly states that homeschool graduates aren't eligible for federal student aid. But an outdated heading in law titled quote students who are not high school
graduates end quote has misled some compliance officers into treating homeschool graduates as if they fall into that category when in fact they do not. According to the homeschool legal defense association, over a dozen colleges impose barriers on homeschooled
applicants. One community college in Ohio demanded that a homeschool student verify his diploma by gathering stateisssued documents that the state wasn't even required to keep under its homeschool laws. A year later, that
student's own mother, applying decades after her graduation, was likewise told to go hunt down paperwork that didn't exist rather than accept her diploma at face value. Now, I realize this may seem like a small problem to fix, but it
represents a real burden for the students and families impacted by it. I urge my colleagues to support the 3 million homeschool students across this nation by voting in favor of the amendment and the underlying bill. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to
submit into the record a letter of support for this legislation from the whole school homechool legal defense association. And with that I yield back. >> With without objection it will be submitted. Hearing none it is. >> Thank you sir. I yield back.
>> Are there any members who wish to be recognized for further discussion on the amendment and the nature of a substitute? Represent Mcbath you wish to be recognized. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. I wish to speak in favor of the amendment and the nature of the substance.
>> You're recognized. >> Thank you. I wanted to speak in support of the amendment in the nature of a substitute substitute and share my personal experience with homeschool uh and as a homeschool educator myself. Believe it or not, for five years I was a single mother working as a flight
attendant on the weekends while I homeschooled my son Jordan during the week. It was hard. Yes, it was. But there were parts of it that I just wouldn't trade for anything in the world. Because that experience allowed me to spend more time with Jordan before
he was taken from me in a racially motivated shooting. Time that I will now and forever deeply cherish. It was not a choice that I took lightly. I It was one that basically turned our lives upside down. I had to change my
entire work schedule to be there for him. and Jordan had to adjust to school at home instead of being with his classmates. I did that because the schools where we lived were so starved of resources, so starved of support from this Congress and from our state that I
could simply not send him there. This isn't a choice that any parent should ever have to make. It isn't a choice that any parent should have to make in the greatest country on earth. But that was the reality that forced me, that was
forced upon me and my son. I had to make that decision. That is the reality that is forced upon millions of Americans every single day. But I promised myself that if I ever could, I would do everything that I could to ensure that every school has the support, the
resources that it needs to ensure that every child is truly never ever left behind. There are so many parents don't that don't have the time nor the resources to homeschool their son or their children like I did. That really
isn't how life works for everyone. For them, their public school is their child's only option. And we should not be making their problems worse with voucher schemes and grant cancellations that take resources away from our public schools. My Republican colleagues,
whether they intend to or not, are creating a two-tiered education system. One for those that are born in certain zip codes and one for the wealthy, for those lucky enough to win a charter lottery and another for the rest of us. That is not what public education should
be. And it doesn't have to be this way. This is a choice that we can make. These are problems and schools that we can actually fix. There are parents that choose to homeschool, but there are others, like myself, that had to
homeschool. I encourage my Republican colleagues to take a very hard look at the impact that these policies are really having on everyday people and difficult choices that our parents are being forced to make. The solution is not to give up on our public school
system and these families. And I yield. >> I thank the gentle lady. Are there any others who wish to speak on this amendment? Nature of a substitute. Miss Miller, you wish to be recognized. >> Yes. >> You're recognized for five minutes.
>> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to Congress Congressman Mark Harris for sponsoring this important bill. Years ago, I was teaching in public school, and I kind of had an epiphany that education could be so much better
if we use different curriculum. So at that point I decided to home educate my seven children. Now my children are grown and most of them are being homeed educated today. So protecting school choice was one of
the main reasons why I entered politics in the first place. The purpose of the homeschool graduation recognition act is simply to give students the same opportunities as graduates of public or private schools. I did have one daughter
who excelled in education. She got a very high score on her ACT, much higher than the average score of the applicants that entered this school. But yet, they wanted to require her to go take the
GED. Um, I was able to push back and get her in there and she ended up graduating with the very highest honor that the school gave in her field of study. Today, homeschooling has nearly tripled, especially during COVID, as parents saw
what was being taught to their children. Homeschooled children routinely score 15 to 25% higher than public school students on standardized testing. Yet, they are discriminated against when it comes to graduation and college admissions. Despite these facts, states
like Illinois have launched a crusade against homeschooling, attempting to stop its rise with burdensome regulations and government intrusion into parental rights. Homeschooled students work just as hard to get their diploma, and they deserve the same
opportunity to pursue a college degree. Thank you again to Congressman Harris for your leadership, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote yes on the Homeschool Graduation Act. and I yield back. >> Thank the gentle lady. I now recognize the gentleman, the ranking member from
Virginia, Mr. Scott. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I intend to be supportive of HR6392, the Homeschool Graduation Recognition Act, which adds clarity to the Higher Education Act with regards to homeschool students access to federal student aid
programs. Under federal under federal law, when a homeschooled student has completed secondary education in a home setting that is treated as a homeschool or private school under state law, that student is entitled to access to federal student aid programs under title 4, the
higher education act. Moreover, the free application for federal student aid, the FAFSA form, which is used by millions of students to access federal student aid, is inclusive of homeschoolers. Likewise, the federal student aid handbook, a guide for college financial
administrators and counselors, is is unequivocally clear that homeschool students are eligible for title four funds when they have completed homeschooling at the secondary level as defined by state law. Committee Democrats are supportive of approving the text of the law to avoid any
unintentional ambiguity or misunderstanding that might occur as a result of the drafting of the current federal law to ensure that homeschool students have access to financial aid for higher education. So, the Democrats plan to offer an amendment to the legislation to clarify that the bill's
provisions apply to federal student aid programs under title four of the Higher Education Act, which is consistent with the provisions for homeschool students and current law. And it's my understanding the majority will be supportive of the clarification. Ensuring that all students, including
those educated at home, have equitable access to higher education funding is a shared goal. For these reasons, I plan to support the amendment nature of a substitute with the amendment and I yield back. >> I thank the gentleman. I recognize the
uh subcommittee chairman on early childhood elementary secondary education, Mr. Kylie from California. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh I am very glad to co-sponsor the homeschool graduation uh recognition act. I have had uh the
great uh privilege of getting to know many of the homeschool uh students and families uh in my area. I've uh spoken to their classes. I've judged their debate tournaments. Um and I have never ceased to be uh impressed with these young people as well as with uh the
parents who pour their heart and soul into giving them uh an excellent education. Uh I've also fought alongside these families when they have been uh unfairly targeted uh by misguided politicians uh in Sacramento. Um I we
have three million homeschool students in this country. Uh they span uh all backgrounds uh are all throughout the country and uh families choose to homeschool for a diversity of reasons. Now I am a very strong believer in our public education system and I believe we
actually have a long way to go to improve the quality of public education in all parts of this country. Uh but the right to homeschool is a fundamental right that must always exist and be protected and it has been recognizes right recognized as part of the
fundamental right of parents to direct the education uh of their children. And that also means we must firmly have in place a principle of non-discrimination when it comes to how uh homeschool students are treated in other parts of
our education system uh and in our broader society. We must also, by the way, tread carefully uh whenever we're making law with respect to homeschooling because uh largely the uh the the purpose of it is to enable uh parents
and families to uh to opt out of uh of the regulations that otherwise exist within the education system. But this very targeted bill is important for upholding this principle of non-discrimination because right now as part of the higher education act uh I've
I was actually somewhat startled by the way that it's uh the exception uh in this act is worded where it describes it as students who are not high school graduates. That's the umbrella term that's used uh for uh for homeschoolers. Well, no, homeschool students are high
school graduates and uh so that was always an inaccurate title. So this bill uh by my colleague from North Carolina uh appropriately uh changes the wording to reflect what this is. Students who are in nontraditional settings, their settings, they are high school graduates
and this change assures that universities uh will treat them appropriately because we have seen examples of how they make students jump through all kinds of hoops in order to prove that they actually uh are a high school graduate and this has put up barriers uh to them accessing student
aid. So I think this is uh is a great bill. It's a needed bill. It will affirm the value of homeschooling in this country while protecting the rights of homeschool families. I yield back. I thank the gentleman. I now recognize
myself for five minutes of comments on on this legislation. Something that I don't necessarily as chairman do all that often uh in speaking on the bill, but this one of course is very personal to me. Um my wife and I homeed educated our three children for 13 years of their
educational experience. Uh yes we were capable as a member of the state legislature also a member of the house education committee and the state legislature as well to make decisions for our family that maybe some others would have more difficulty in making.
But nonetheless, it was a decision made as a parent in our case in a good public school system that had come under the challenge of reduced funding and access to significant programs of education in
our local public school or rural school district. Feeling that a point that we could not suffer our children missing out on educational opportunities that were broad. We felt there was another choice and that was home
education for us done one year at a time sometimes one semester at a time. Uh evaluating how it was going in our lives as well as with our children. I'm happy to say that it worked. I'm happy to say that our children all have gone on and
are working. Happy to say my oldest son became a noted journalist with a major city newspaper ultimately nominated for a Puliter Prize coming in runner up for that. Another our daughter who was not making
it in a normal educational process. The motivation wasn't there. We ultimately added to that the local vocational technical education public school training program for her that revolutionized her life and ultimately went into healthc care fields excelled
and is and ultimately went to into a master's education in the higher education program. We saw the impact but I was raised in a family of home of of public school educators including my mother. I was public school educated. It
is absolutely important for me to say to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle that I support public education in being the best system that it possibly can be for our our students who will choose for whatever reason to be in public schools.
But there also ought to be opportunities of choice. And I would say the traditional system of education is the home education. It begins in the home. It begins with a parent. I allowed the supplementing of education to other entities for periods of time in my
children's life, both public, private, and home education. That was my responsibility as a parent. And so I see this legislation substantiating that, not taking away choices across the spectrum, and certainly not taking away
our responsibility of promoting the value of having schools and local districts in states that we represent be the best they possibly could be be. whether public, whether public charter, whether private, whether prochial,
whether homeschool or any other type, that it meets the needs of a developing citizenry that is highly educated and capable of carrying on the functions of society in a productive way. So, I thank the gentleman from uh
North Carolina for putting this bill before us, and I look forward to uh passing it to the floor of the House yet today. and I yield back. >> Are there any other members? >> Are there any other members who wish to be recognized?
There being no >> uh I recognize the the gentleman from Missouri, Mr. Rder. Do you wish to be recognized? >> Yes, I do. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um yeah, I would echo the chairman's experience. My wife Allison and I home
home educated our six children at one time or another. Yes, we took it one year at a time or semester at a time or I guess as Alcoholics Anonymous would say, one day at a time. Um, and over the course of our children's education, they attended public school, private school, and homeschool. We basically educated
all of our uh all of our children K through K through eight and then chose to send uh our children to a private religious school um uh 9 through grades 9 to through 12. But I think I strongly support this bill. I find it especially
uh inappropriate that um that home homeed educated children who by all accounts outperform uh their um their public school and even some of their private school counterparts by large margins that they be labeled not having graduated from
high school. So I strongly support Representative Harris's bill and I will be voting for it. >> The gentleman yields. Are there any other members who wish to speak on the amendment and nature of a substitute? Seeing none, uh there being no further
discussion on the amendment and nature of a substitute, the committee will move to consideration of amendments. Are there any members who would like to offer amendments? I recognize the ranking member, the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Scott. >> Yes, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment
at the desk. HR 63 identifier HR 6392MU D AMD_01. The clerk will report the amendment. >> Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 6392 offered by
Mr. Scott of Virginia identifier AMD_01. >> Mr. Mr. >> Mr. Do you wish to offer a point of order? >> Reserve a point. Reserve a point of order. >> Mr. Chairman, may I reserve a point of order. >> A point of order is reserved. I now
recognize the gentleman from Virginia, the ranking member, Mr. Scott, for five minutes to in support of his amendment. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This amendment makes clear that the bills provisions apply to federal student aid programs under title four of the higher education act. It's consistent with existing
provisions for homeschool students and current law. with my amendment HR6392, the homeschool graduation recognition act adds clarity to the higher education act with regards to homeschool students access to federal student aid programs
without unnecessarily becoming entangled with the autonomy and academic freedom of colleges and universities. It's my understanding the majority is supportive of the modification and I urge adoption of the amendment and then the bill and I yield back.
I I thank the gentleman. Does the gentleman from Missouri wish to withdraw his point of order? >> I withdraw my point of order. >> The reservation is withdrawn. Does anyone else seek recognition on the
amendment? Mr. Harris, do you wish to speak on the amendment? >> Yes, Mr. Chairman. And uh I would just say if this amendment will make my Democrat colleagues comfortable voting for the underlying bill, I'm happy to support it. Again, in this bill, the main goal is to send a message that
homeschoolers who graduate in accordance with state law are in fact graduates. This will eliminate any implication in existing law that homeschool graduates have not legally graduated. The bill still accomplishes both those goals under this amendment. My Democrat
colleagues are correct that the underlying bill makes changes to the existing code on federal financial aid and I'm fine with an amendment that clarifies that fact. I'm prepared to support this amendment in the hopes we can pass the underlying bill with a large resounding majority. And with
that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back. I thank the gentleman. Is there further debate on the amendment? If not, the question is on the amendment by the gentleman from Virginia, the ranking member, Mr. Scott. All in favor say I. I. All oppose, no.
In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment is agreed to. Are there any further amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute HR 6392? There being no amendments, uh the
question now occurs on the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 6392. All in favor say I. I. All oppose, no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment in the nature
of a substitute is agreed to. We'll now move to the to consider the next bill. The committee will now proceed to consideration of the bill HR6472 for amendment. The bill was circulated in advance and
printed copies are available. Will the clerk designate the bill? HR6472, a bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for instate tuition rates for certain residents of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marana
Islands, American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands, and for other purposes. >> Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with. Without objection, the bill will be considered as read and open for amendment at any point, and any amendment offered shall be considered as read. Does anyone seek
to be recognized? Representative Molen, for what purpose do you seek recognition? >> Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk amendment ans tro01. >> Uh, the clerk shall designate the amendment in the nature of a substitute. >> Amendment in the nature of a substitute
to HR6472 offered by Mr. Moan of Guam identifier ans_rr_01. >> Without objection, the amendment shall be considered original text for purposes of further amendment. The amendment in the nature of a substitute has already been distributed. I now recognize Mr.
Moland for five minutes to explain the amendment in the nature of a substitute. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I ordered support of my amendment in the n uh nature of a substitute to HR 6472. Now, many residents of the US territories face barriers in accessing higher
education, especially for programs that are not available in their home islands due to small economics and geographic isolation. In the territories of Guam, the northern Marianas, American Samoa, and US Virgin
Islands, only Guam and the US Virgin Islands have four-year universities. And even then, despite their great success and impacts, many programs remain out of reach. None of our territories have law
schools or medical schools. There are only limited graduate programs, and many STEM programs are yet to be established. This stark reality leaves our children with an impossible choice.
move to one of the 50 states to DC to attain an incredible expensive degree or abandon their dreams. For those that do choose to move to the states to pursue higher education, the sheer cost of that
education can pressure them to remain in the states rather than returning home. The territorial students access to higher education acts makes a significant step in choosing these education and closing these educational
gaps by lowering the cost of tuition for residents of Guam, the northern Marianas, American Samoa, and the US Virgin Islands to no greater than instate tuition rates at public colleges and universities.
Doing so provides a viable path to higher education for our students, helping close the educational gap and facilitating paths to return home. As more of our students can pursue
their dreams, whether it be a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer, or another profession, they can return home to benefit their local communities. In turn, this helps strengthen our economies, bridge skill gaps, and
improves the lives of our people. Many examples of this exist. The Honorable Peter C. Saguenza Jr., our first Chief Justice of the Guam Supreme Court, Dr. Walter Chris Paris, a doctor whose work
touched the lives of many, and the first president of the University of Guam, Dr. Yamashita. and many more educational, healthc care, community, and island leaders throughout our history. The territories are also on the front
line or the forefront of national security and critical shortages in our education and workforce sectors in our islands can have farreaching implications for the rest of the nation. For Guam, we are the westernmost part of
the homeland, host strategic bases and assets, and are a key player in the Second Island chain. In fact, 25% of our land is owned by the Department of Defense, and over 4,000
Marines are in route from Okinawa. Supporting this measure supports national security. Removing barriers to higher education will lead to enhanced strategic res resilience by enabling workforce development, reducing
dependency on foreign workers in critical roles and improving self-sufficiency. And likewise, we will see improvement in military readiness by enhancing professional expertise in supporting and support roles, improving healthc care
capacity, and enhancing legal and administrative support. This bill is supported by Miss Kim Hines, Miss Radaw Wagon, Miss Plaski, and Mr. Hernandez, and has the support of the Guam Youth Congress. Many
amendments provide my amendments provides the bill's short title and also clarifies that residents are not charged excessive fees. I urge my colleagues to join the Americans who call the territories their home and support this
amendment and the underlying bill. Mr. Chairman, I yield back. >> I thank the gentleman. Are there any members who wish to be recognized for further discussion on the amendment and the nature of the substitute? >> I recognize gentlemen, the ranking
member from Virginia, Mr. Scott. >> Thank Thank you, M. Mr. Chairman. This bill would require public colleges from uh student that public colleges charge students from Guam, the American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and the US
Virgin Islands instate tuition rates. And while there are several highquality colleges in these territories, many students in the territories do not have much choice in which college they can attend because too often there's only one option. By ensuring that these
students have the benefit of instate tuition, Congress can make it easier and more affordable for students who want to go to college in the contiguous 48 states. However, as drafted, HR6398 creates an unfunded mandate for states
to implement this policy which undermines state sovereignty. States and state colleges are responsible for setting tuition policies for public colleges. And these tuition policies are designed based on the context and constraints of their state budgets. At a
time when congressional Republicans are already making it harder for states to balance their budgets due to the big ugly laws sweeping education and healthc care cuts, this approach is not ideal. But we know there's another way. During the 117th Congress, this committee
reported out a policy that provided federal financial assistance for students from these same territories to help offset additional costs of out of state tuition at public colleges. Although this provision was not ultimately included in the final version
of the legislation, the inflation reduction act, this is the approach Congress should be taking to tackle this important issue. And while I appreciate the fact that Republicans are trying to make U college more affordable to these students across these territories, I'd
like to remind them that just a few months ago, uh the Republicans on their own, without a rep Democratic vote, voted to make it harder for the same students to afford college by cutting PEL grants, reducing loan limits, and eliminating affordable
repayment plans in that big ugly law. To that end, while I plan to support today's markup, I expect my Republican colleagues to place this responsibility where it belongs on the federal government, not on the states or on our public institutions before the
legislation goes to the floor. And so I'll be supporting the uh amendment offered by the gentle lady from North Carolina to do exactly that. With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back. >> I thank the gentleman. Are there any other members who wish to speak?
on the amendment and nature of a substitute. Mr. >> Chairman, >> for what purposes, the gentle lady from North Carolina wish to be recognized? >> I have an amendment. >> That will come shortly.
>> Thank you, sir. There being no further discussion on the amendment and the nature of a substitute, the committee will move to consideration of amendments, um I now recognize the gentle lady. >> Mr. Chairman,
I reserve a point of order. >> Let's let's wait for the amendment. Thank you. Um I now recognize gentle lady from North Carolina for for purposes of introducing an amendment. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an
amendment at the desk adam N C558. >> Will the clerk designate the amendment? >> Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 6472 offered by Miss Adams of North Carolina identifier AdamNc_558. >> Does the uh gentleman from Missouri wish
recognition? >> Yes, Mr. Chairman. Um I reserve a point of order. A point of order is reserved. I now recognize the gentle lady from North Carolina. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, while I appreciate my Republican colleagues interest in wanting to ensure affordable
and accessible public higher education for residents of certain US territories, requiring states to to honor instate tuition prices for non-resident students, infringes upon states autonomy and absolves the federal government of of its responsibilities.
Each state has the jurisdiction to decide where and to whom their respective funding goes to. Despite some declines in state investment in higher education over the decades, states uh provide most of the funding for public
higher education and have significant say in how college revenues should be spent. Given the outsized role of states in public higher education, setting and mandating instate tuition prices are outside of the federal government's
jurisdiction and such policies are an inappropriate infringement on state government discretion. If Congress wants to mandate instate tuition for residents of certain US territories, Congress needs to provide federal funding for it. My amendment would require the federal
government to to annually reimburse public institutions of higher education for any revenue lost as a result of requiring instate tuition for eligible students under this act. This amendment will ensure that these students have
access to affordable higher education without infringing on state sovereignty. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment. Uh Mr. Chairman, I yield back. >> Thank you, gentle lady. Does the gentleman from Missouri insist on a point of order?
>> U Mr. Chairman, I reserve my I withdraw my point of order. >> The reservation is withdrawn. I thank the gentleman. Does anyone else seek recognition on the amendment? Representative McBth, do you wish recognition? >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, thank you so
much. I wish to speak in favor of the proposed amendment to the amendment and the nature of the substitute. >> You are recognized. Thank you and thank you to Mr. Mouland for leading this really, really important bill. Although many Americans may never have been there
before, places like the Virgin Islands, the Northern Marana Islands, Guam, and Samoa are incred incredibly important parts of our country and of our history. The jungles and the beaches of Guam, the waters that surround the northern Marana Islands, and so many others are the
final resting place for thousands of American soldiers, sailors, marines, and our Chammoral allies who died fighting in the Second World War. People just like you and me who gave their lives to
defend democracy, to defend their homes, and to defend this country. These places and those who call them home, they're important to us and they should be treated with the respect and the dignity that they deserve.
Education is a window to a better, more fulfilling life. And there is no legitimate reason why American citizens and nationals living in the farthest reaches of our country should be limited or denied the same opportunities for
success than those living in the states have access to. Your zip code, the amount of wealth that you were born into, what island you were born on. None of these things should be the difference between an American's ability to better
themselves through education. Factors that are completely outside someone's control should not make it more difficult to acquire the skills necessary to provide a decent life for themselves and for their families. While
I am supportive of the underlying bill, Congress must find a way to ensure that students in the territories have access to lower tuition rates without putting that responsibility solely on the school
or on the states themselves to pick up the costs. Federal territories are exactly that. They are federal entities. The federal government is clearly the more appropriate payer here as it is
clearly has more juris jurisdiction over the federal territories than any individual state does. This amendment would do just that and I encourage my colleague colleagues to vote in favor and I yield.
>> I thank the gentle lady. Does anyone else seek recognition on the amendment? Uh for what purpose does gentleman from Guan seek recognition? >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm opposed to this amendment. Uh this amendment will provide a mandatory cost to the bill
which is not offset. Uh article one section 8 of the constitution clearly gives Congress the authority to legislate on this matter. In the past, instate tuition benefits have been given to other classes, including citizens of the freely
associated states, veterans in uh veterans and foreign service officers. This is about giving residents of smaller territories the opportunities to obtain degrees otherwise unavailable
to them and have a viable financial path to return home. Additionally, this is going to be a smaller population than other times we have provided this benefit. So, I do not think we need to
change how we address this issue here. I thank you and I yield back. >> I thank the gentleman. Uh, does anyone else seek recognition on the amendment? Gentleman from Virginia. For what
purpose do you seek recognition? strike the last word. >> You're recognized. >> Mr. Speaker, um I do want to thank the gentleman from Guam for introducing this important bill. It's important to note that
citizens of the 50 states enjoy this benefit having instate tuition, but citizens of our territories do not. We fixed it to a small extent with um Washington DC by
having a DC uh tag grant for those that go out of state and have to pay out of state tuition. They get assistance, but this would make sure that they get the full value of the um instate tuition that is not available to them in their
states. And we'd have to note that these are citizens. They're born in our territories. They're United States citizens. And Dr. Adams amendment would ensure that students will have access to affordable education and still respecting the autonomy and budgets of
states and public colleges when they set their tuition. So I urge my colleagues to support the legislation and yield back. >> I thank the gentlemen. Are there any others who wish to speak on the amendment? If not, the question is on the amendment
by the gentleman from Guam or by the gentle lady from North Carolina. Um, all in favor say I. >> All oppose, no. No. In the opinion of the chair, the nose
have it and the amendment is not agreed to. >> Mr. Chair, I'd like a a recorded vote. >> A roll call vote is ordered pursuant to the chair's previous announcement. This vote will be postponed. Are there any further amendments
to the amendment in the nature of the substitute HR6472? So we just move to the next bill to say that >> we'll not now move to consider the next bill. The committee will now proceed to
consideration of the bill HR6498 for amendment. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. Will the clerk designate the bill? HR6498, a bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase transparency in
college tuition for consumers and for other purposes. >> Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with. Without objection, the bill will be considered as read and open for amendment at any point and any amendment offered shall be considered as read.
Does anyone seek to be recognized? Representative Ander, for what purpose do you seek to be recognized? >> Mr. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk. Amendment uh amens NP01. >> The clerk shall designate the amendment in the nature of a substitute.
>> Amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR6498 offered by Mr. Ander of Missouri, identifier ANS_NP_01. >> Without objection, the amendment shall be considered an original text for purposes of further amendment. The amendment in the nature of a substitute
has already been distributed. I now recognize Mr. Ander for five minutes to explain the amendment in the nature of a substitute. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Post secondary education is a competitive market with students and families looking to exchange time and money for a credential
worth that investment. The more information students have, the better decisions they can make. Financial transparency has a long history in this Congress. An economic study on the auto auto industry in the 1950s showed that a
lack of information created uncertainty about the quality of the market, especially in the used car market. Congress took action on car sales when the Automotive Information Disclosure Act of 1958 was passed, creating what is now known as the Mon Monrroni sticker.
This tag includes consumer information like the manufacturer's suggested re retail price, accessories, gas mileage, safety, rating, delivery fees, and more. A college degree, of course, is a more important and much bigger investment than a used car. So, why do we expect
students to make such a large decision with relatively little information about costs and outcomes? Is it no wonder that that students and employers are losing faith in the value of college? I know the chairman mentioned some staggering
statistics in his opening remarks, but I want to focus on the fact that 60% of college graduates say college isn't worth the cost. These people um these these people who have already spent time and money on post-secary education and even they are left dubious about the
value. We are in a crisis of trust and that needs to change. That is why I'm excited to join uh Chairman Guthrie and Representative Trhan in the introduction of the bipartisan student financial clarity act. This bill codifies and
improves the college scoreboard, a helpful consumer tool for students to compare data across both institutions and individualized programs of study. This data helps answer critical questions students want to know such as the cost of attendance, average amounts
of debt, and average earnings of students at a college and in their major. It also would show costs of attendance beyond traditional required costs so that students can fully understand that costs apply to them and how uh what costs apply to them and how
to plan for their financial future. This bill also reforms the universal net price calculator to utilize a more robust data set so so prospective students can better estimate the cost of attendance. After students enter the information and
the FAFSA if applicable, the calculator estimates what they can expect to pay for each year of their major using past cost averages from similar students who graduated from that school. My amendment makes improvements to the underlying bill, including clarifying some of the
privacy pro protections in the bill. This amendment also makes additional clarifications in some of the calculations and definitions in the bill. I urge my colleagues to adopt the amendment and support the underlying bill. I yield I yield back. >> I thank the gentlemen. Are there any
members who wish to be recognized for further discussion on the amendment and nature of a substitute? The gentleman from California, Mr. Tano, do you you wish to be recognized? >> Yes. Is uh is it an order for me to offer an amendment? Not yet. >> No, not yet.
>> No, thank you, sir. >> Uh the gentle lady from uh from Oregon. Do you wish to be recognized? >> I do wish to be recognized, Mr. Mr. Chairman. Thank you. I move to strike the last word. >> You're recognized. >> Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman. I I I want to start with a a comment about the the
markup in general. Um because the chairman started this morning by saying that trust in higher education is continuing to wayne. Oftentimes that's because of cost and student loan debt. And as ranking member Scott said, the solution is to make higher education more affordable. Uh but I also want to
note that I hear a lot of bashing of higher education, including statements like higher education is elitist and a waste of money. uh that is very counterproductive to our mission here and I encourage my colleagues to join us in talking about how to improve higher
education rather than to decimate it. Um, so in in regard to House Resolution 6498, the amendment in nature of a substitute, I support transparency in many of the provisions in this bill and certainly its intent, but once again, we see the majority imposing additional
responsibility on the Department of Education while providing no additional resources and slashing existing support. In fact, during the past several months, my Republican colleagues have supported the Trump administration's illegal and unconstitutional dismantling of the
Department of Education. The chairman of this committee has actively called for the department to be abolished. So, it's baffling. The Secretary of Education is mentioned at least 15 times in this bill, and yet many of you want no department and no secretary of education. I do not understand what the
approach is, but it feels like we're in the committee on cognitive dissonance. Also, this bill assigns responsibilities to the Institute for Education Sciences and the Office of Federal Student Aid, both of which have been devastated by mass layoffs under the Trump administration. The ability of these
offices to complete their statutory responsibilities is already severely undermined, and in this bill, you want to give them more to do. With this bill, you want the transparency and accountability that come with federal education data infrastructure, but you are simultaneously demolish demolishing
the agency that makes this possible. It doesn't take a college degree to know that this is not going to work. Investment in our system of higher education matters to students and families. The data that the Department of Education collects and disseminates matters to students and families. We all
know this. Transparency is beneficial. But this bill doesn't do enough to collect and provide highquality comprehensive data that would be useful and it even includes information that could be misleading. And I will note again, as I have many times in this committee in the past, that I take issue
with the defining the success of academic programs by measuring the salary of graduates. What if a student starts their own business? What if they join the Peaceore? What if they go into teaching or social work or another underpaid field? That does not mean that their degree does not have value. And
there are countless examples of people who end up in careers different from their college major. How are those earnings considered? Also, the system established under this bill doesn't collect data from students who don't receive federal financial aid, meaning that approximately 30% of community
college students and 20% of university students won't be represented. So, this is an incomplete framework that won't provide prospective students or their families with the full picture of a school's costs or quality. And finally, the bill does not include disclosure of
things like housing costs, transportation, and child care, and the net price of attendance. Those costs play a significant role in whether students, especially non-traditional students, can access affordable college education. Students and families need accurate estimates of these costs so
they can compare different schools and make the best decision. And of course, both the college scorecard and the net price calculator will have no value to students whatsoever if there is no department of education to update and maintain them. So considering bills like this while working to dismantle the
Department of Education is nonsensical. Colleagues on both sides of the aisle know that Donald Trump can't shut down the Department of Education without Congress. I invite all of you to join those of us who want to improve rather than destroy the department to do otherwise will harm the students and
families and bills that bills like this are trying to help. I yield back. Thank you. >> Gentle lady's time is expired. She yields back. I now recognize the gentleman from Virginia, the ranking member, Mr. Scott, to speak to the
amendment and the nature of a substitute. >> Thank you, Mr. Speak. M Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman, HR 6498 required the Department of Education to reform the college scoreboard and include additional information on the college costs and program level
outcomes, and create a universal net price calculator. College scoreboard is already an important tool run by the department of education that helps students and families make informed choices on where to go to college. Schoolboard also allows uh students to
compare colleges based on metrics such as graduation rates, cost of attendance, and post-graduate earnings. Similarly, the net price calculators help students and families make informed choices by estimating what students pay for the first year of school at a given college
before they even have to submit a FAFSA form. All colleges are currently required to publish their own net price calculator on their website. Now, HR HR6498 attempts to attempts to improve the two consumer information tools by requiring
a more comprehensive net price, student loan, and outcomes data to be reported and compared across uh colleges. By embedding a universal net price calculator into the college scoreboard and collecting program level data,
students should be more able more easily able to compare various programs across different colleges. But I'm concerned that this legislation does not take into consideration important regulatory decisions currently being determined as
a result from the big ugly bill or the Trump administration's ongoing fight to dismantle the Department of Education. The committee is considering this bill as my Republican colleagues are continuing to enable the Trump administration to dismantle the Department of Education, including the
Institute of Educational Sciences, the research, evaluation, and statistic arms arm of the department that is crucial in operating the college scoreboard. Since taking office, President Trump has instituted mass layoffs at IIEES and
slashed more than a billion dollars in research uh contracts. IIE has yet bounced back from this devastation and the reduction in the staff of about 90%. Developing the universal net price calculator and making sweeping reforms
to the college scoreboard reporting will require significant financial tech technological and staffing resources at IIEES. So I'm confused as to how you can allow the department to successfully implement these programs when there's
nobody left at the institute. Beyond these fundamental concerns, I have several questions about how the bill would be implemented and whether the framework proposed is most appropriate. For example, the legislation only requires schools to report data on students who have received some form of
finan federal financial aid. Unfortunately, this means students who do not receive federal financial aid, which are disproportionately community college students, will not be represented. And without data that counts all students, it's impossible to
address inequities in college access, affordability, and college success. It is also unclear how the new reporting requirements will complement rather than and then complicate the data already required under the gainful employment
and financial value transparency regulations. So although I appreciate what is trying to be done with the bill and the college scoreboard, I have concerns about how the bill was drafted and also reasonably have concerns about how the administration will faithfully
implement the ch changes with nobody left at the department and Mr. Chairman I yield back. >> Thank the gentleman. Does the gentle lady from Florida, Miss Wilson's wish to speak on the amendment
in the nature of a substitute? >> Mr. Chair, I move to strike the last word. >> You are recognized. As a former principal, a school district administrator, and a school board member, I understand
the value of this bill because students deserve to know upfront what they are getting into, what a program really cost, how much they will likely borrow, and whether that degree leads to a
decent paycheck. That's the basics. And it is long overdue for the black, brown, and lowincome students I represent. But let's not pretend that you can do financial clarity while you are busy
gutting the very department that is supposed to collect the data, run the systems, and police the cheaters. The administrators and Republicans are
dismantling the Department of Education, shuffling core education programs over to agencies that have zero experience serving students and slashing the staff who
process aid and enforce the rules. And then they want credit for helping students understand college cost. That is like taking a sledgehammer to the fire department and calling it a
fire safety initiative. If we are serious about protecting students, we do not outsource education policy to the Department of Labor. star the education
budget and pink slip the people who investigate abuse just to then pin a gold star on a website. If this bill is going to be passed, we need to fund staff and
empower the Department of Education to make sure tools like the college scorecard and the net price calculators work for the students. Anything less is
just another glossy promise with no backup. Mr. Chair, I yield back. >> I thank the gentle lady. Are there any other members who wish to be recognized for further discussion on the amendment in the nature of a substitute?
>> There being no further discussion on the amendment in the nature of a substitute, the committee will move to consideration of amendments. Are there any members who would like to offer amendments? The gentleman from California, Mr. Kano, would you like to be recognized on amendment? >> Yes, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to offer an
amendment to the underlying text. I have an amendment at the desk tono 0-03 0. >> The clerk will designate the amendment. >> Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR6498 offered by Mr. Takano of California
identifier Tano_030. >> Does the uh gentleman from Missouri wish the point of order? Yes, Mr. Chairman. I wish to reserve a point of order. >> A point of order is reserved. I now recognize the gentleman from California for 5 minutes in support of his
amendment. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I agree that prospective students deserve to have all the information possible before making one of the most consequential consequential decisions of their lives. And
transparent data reporting is key to making that choice. Congress also has a responsibility to ensure that students are protected from predatory career programs that leave them saddled with debt uh they are unable to repay. My amendment would
codify the gainful employment and financial value transparency rules in statute. creating a framework to ensure that career programs do not leave students crushed by debt and can graduate from programs that have demonstrated positive impact on their
earnings. The text of this amendment is pulled from my bill, the Protect Students Act, which I led with my colleague, Representative Alma Adams, and would establish common sense protections to
prevent abuses and safeguards taxpayer dollars. The gainful employment and financial value transparency rules were put in place to protect our nation's students, especially veterans and low-income students, from lowwage, high debt
certificate and career programs that seek to take advantage of their federal education benefits. These programs leave students with unmanageable debt, student debt level, stu student debt loads, and poverty level wages, which impacts the
rest of their lives. This amendment would require that schools receiving Title 4 funds demonstrate the earnings of graduates in specific career programs exceed those of high school students in the state. In other words, ensuring that students are
not left worse off than they started. It would also require that the debt to earnings ratio of graduates allow them to repay the debt they took on to attend their program. Finally, this amendment requires that institutions provide
warning uh to students if their career training or graduate school programs fail to meet those standards. Now, these basic policies are expected to protect more than 700,000 students each year from enrolling in programs that fail to
pay off and are projected to save taxpayers $14 billion over the next decade. Now, we know that these rules are a pillar of cost transparency. We know that they work. I urge the Department of Education to release the
gainful employment and financial value transparency data they have already collected. And I urge this committee to move towards cementing these rules and law. If we are actually serious about protecting our nation's students and the American taxpayer, implementing these
measures to their fullest extent must be a top priority. Hundreds of thousands of students are counting on us to take the final step of codifying these protections into law so that we can all move towards a more affordable and equitable future. Uh I yield back, Mr.
Chairman. >> I thank the gentleman. Does the gentleman from Missouri insist on the point of order? >> Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my point of order. >> The reservation is withdrawn. >> Does anyone else seek recognition on the amendment? Gentleman from Missouri, Mr.
Ander, do you wish to be recognized on the amendment? >> Yes, I do, Mr. Chairman. >> Recognized for five minutes. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate my colleagues points about transparency and accountability. However, I do wish to oppose this amendment. I do support the financial value transparency piece of
this amendment. In fact, the student financial clarity act cites that existing regulations as part of data be used to help provide students with information about all colleges and programs. Unfortunately, my colleague
talks about accountability but addresses only one sector of post secondary education. For decades, post-secary education has operated under a system of selective accountability with flawed metrics. The result has been skyrocketing costs, lackluster
completion rates, and unaffordable debt for the 95% of students who don't attend a proprietary school. House Republicans have continually been the party of real accountability and outcomes for all students at all schools, regardless of
tax status. the sector neutral accountability metrics in the working family tax cuts has made monumental reform towards rightsizing our federal loan program. Bad programs and institutions that offer them should be held accountable, but that is not the
goal of this amendment. This amendment codifies regulations that arbitrarily target schools based on their tax status. Instead of picking winners and losers, we should encourage all colleges to focus on their students success. Thank you. and I yield back.
>> I thank the gentleman. Does anyone else seek recognition on the amendment? I recognize the ranking member, gentleman from Virginia to speak on the amendment. Thank Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the gainful employment and financial value
transparency regulations established under the last administration are critical to protecting students from lowquality programs. I'm pleased to see that the bill sponsors seem to agree since they have required colleges to report data in accordance with these
regulations in the underlying bill. This amendment would codify the present gainful employment and financial value transparency rules which will help make the reporting under the bill stronger. In addition to codifying the rules, I would hope that the department would release the data that is already
collected on uh gainful employment and financial value so that we can consider that um that information. Urge my colleagues to support the amendment and yield back. >> I thank the gentleman. Is there further debate on the amendment?
If not, the question is on the amendment by the gentleman from California, Mr. Tano. All in favor say I. >> All oppose, no. No. In the opinion of the chair, the nos
have it. And amen it. >> And the amendment is not agreed to. >> Roll call. >> A roll call vote is ordered. Pursuant to the chair's previous announcement, this vote will be postponed. Are there any further amendments to the
amendment in the nature of a substitute HR6498? For what purpose does the gentle lady from North Carolina, Miss Adams, >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Recognized. >> Thank you. I have a an amendment at the desk, ADAMC560.
>> The clerk will report the amendment. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR6498 offered by Miss Adams of North Carolina identifier AdamNC_560. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My amendment is is simple. It requires the Department of
Education to conduct annual consumer testing of the college score and the universal net price calculator. not with policy experts, not with think tanks, but with the students who rely on these tools the most, low-income students,
first generation students. And let's be very honest about why this matters. Because the college score and and the net price calculator mean nothing. If students who need them most can't understand what they're looking
at, can't compare their options, or or can't make sense of the costs that determine whether they can attend college at all. Low-income and first generation students already face the the steepest barriers. They're more likely
to work while in school, more likely to enroll part-time, more likely to to to stop out when a bill increases by 50 or or or or $100. A and they are the students who depend on PEL grants on campus aid and federal
support just to stay enrolled. And if these tools don't work for them, then the the transparency that we're talking about today is simply transparency in name only. Right now, the scorecard presents a tremendous amount of
information. Graduation rates, earnings, borrowing outcomes, and cost data that that varies widely depending on on a student's circumstances. So, the universal net price calculator will require even more complexity. But but
here's the question that we should all be asking. Have we tested any of this with the students who stand to lose the most when we when we get it wrong? Because I've met these students. I've taught them for more than 40 years. And
I know how quickly they can be pushed out of higher education when the information that they receive is confusing, incomplete, or simply not designed for them. Annual consumer testing is not a burden. It is a safeguard. It ensures the tools are are
are readable. It ensures the numbers are understandable. It ensures that the information reflects the lived experiences of students who are balancing work and family and school often all at once. And let me be clear,
this amendment does not delay the bill. It does not impose new bureaucracy. It simply requires the department to to verify once a year that that these tools work for the students that they are intended to serve. And if the majority
is committed to transparency, then we should also be committed to useful transparency because a tool that confuses low-income students, a tool that that overwhelms first generation students, a tool that shows averages
instead of realities. I is not transparency. It's it it's just noise. And so the cost of that noise is high. Students make the wrong choice. Students enrolled in a program that they cannot afford. And students borrow more than
they expected. Students drop out without a degree, but with debt. And we can prevent that. And we can make sure that that these tools advance equity, not confusion. And we can do this with one
common sense safeguard. Mr. Chair, annual consumer testing is the bare minimum that we owe our students, especially those who are navigating higher education without a road map. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to to
withdraw my amendment. I yield back. >> I thank the gentle lady. Are there any further amendments to the amendment in the nature of substitute to HR6498? For what purpose does the gentle lady from Oregon seek to be recognized?
>> Uh, Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk. It is amendment number Bonamichi_061. >> The clerk will designate the amendment. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR6498 offered by Miss Bonamichi of Oregon identifier
Bami_061. >> Does the gentleman from Missouri wish a point of order? >> Uh Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order. >> Point of order is reserved. I now recognize the gentle lady from Oregon uh for five minutes in support of her amendment. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. This bill directs the Secretary of Education
and the Commissioner of Statistics at the Institute of Education Sciences to implement a series of changes to the college scorecard and the net price calculator. Regardless of the merits of this policy, this committee cannot ignore the fact that the secretary has
spent the last few months dismantling the department through transfers of power that undermine the laws Congress has written, delegating that power to the Department of Education. Words matter. If my colleagues on the other side wanted the Department of Labor to handle the college scorecard or the net
price calculator, they could have drafted this bill to reflect that. But they did not. To make sure that the secretary follows what Congress has clearly intended, my amendment would prohibit the secretary from delegating the powers and functions she is given in
this bill to any other federal entity, public or private organization. This amendment will still allow for consultation with other departments if it's necessary, for example, to disagregate data on financial aid assistance that may be housed at the departments of defense, veterans
affairs, or labor. But it does not allow for the wholesale delegation we've seen from the secretary recently. I am sure that the remaining attorneys in the office of the general counsel will attempt to devise a way to allow the secretary to sherk the responsibilities vested in
her under this bill if it becomes law. But the intent of Congress should be clear. We expect the Department of Education to do this work and we will not authorize more power to the secretary unless our expectation is crystal clear that the Department of
Education will do the work. So I urge adoption of this important amendment and I yield back. >> I thank the gentle lady. Does the gentleman from Missouri wish to reserve his point of order? >> I withdraw my point of order. >> Point of order is withdrawn.
Are there any other members who wish to speak on the amendment to the amendment and the nature of a substitute? I then recognized myself to uh speak in opposition to the amendment. Inter agency partnerships are important
steps, first steps to rightsize the federal bureaucracy, which has expanded without regard to operational efficiency or cost to hardworking American taxpayers. Partnerships between agencies can increase communication and collaboration
on important issues while also reducing the need for states to consult multiple federal agencies. I'm also concerned that this amendment could hamstring the Department of Education from using long-standing flexibilities in federal law designed to
promote more effective implementation of federal laws in a misguided attempt to score political points. Today, we're focused on providing students with more information so they can make informed financial decisions about their post-secary education.
Debating IAAS, inter agency agreements that are not relevant to this bill would not further this goal. I oppose the amendment and I yield back. Is there further debate on the amendment?
If not, the question is on the amendment by the gentle lady from Oregon. All in favor say I. >> All oppose, no. >> No. In the opinion of the chair, the nos have it and the amendment is not agreed
to. >> A roll call is requested. A roll call vote is ordered. Pursuant to the chair's previous announcement, this vote will be postponed. Are there any further amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR6498?
Uh the gentle lady from North Carolina, Miss Adams. Do you wish to be recognized? >> Yes, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk. Uh ADAMS_561. >> The clerk will report the amendment. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR6498
offered by Miss Adams of North Carolina. Identifier AdamNC_561. >> Mr. Ander, do you reserve a point of order? >> Yes, Mr. Chairman. I reserve a point of order. >> Point of order is reserved. I now recognize the gentle lady from North Carolina for five minutes in support of
her amendment. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, my amendment requires the Department of Education to provide an explanation anytime the new universal net price calculator produces a cost estimate that differs from the estimate on an
institution's own calculator. And let me explain why this is necessary. Because the entire purpose of a net price calculator is to help students understand what college will actually cost them. Not the sticker price, not
the advertised tuition, but the real price a student pays after grants and scholarships. But but but here here's the problem. Students across this country are already seeing conflicting numbers when they search for for college
costs. One calculator says one thing, a second tool says something else, and the family is left asking wh which one is right? But which number can we trust? Now imagine being a first generation student trying to make sense sense of
this. Imagine being a low-income parent trying to compare options for the first time. Imagine being a community college advisor trying to help a student choose an affordable transfer pathway.
If the federal calculator shows one price and and the institution shows another and no one explains the difference, then the transparency that that we're promising today becomes confusion tomorrow. And confusion
confusion has consequences. Students walk away from from colleges that they can afford because they don't trust the numbers. Students enroll in programs that that cost more than they expected because they misunderstood the estimate.
Students borrow more than they need or or worse, they drop out when when the bill doesn't match the promise. We can prevent that. This amendment simply says if the two calculators give two different answers, then tell students
why. Is it because student the the school includes additional grants? Is it because of of different assumptions about family income? Is it because of housing choices, meal plans, or or unmet
need? Students deserve to know. Families deserve clarity and institutions deserve consistency. And let me be clear, this amendment does not impose new burdens on schools. It does not slow
down the calculator and it does not require a new bureaucracy. It simply it simply requires the Department of Education to give the public what it already needs in order for this tool to work. A plain language explanation when
the numbers don't match. And if the majority is serious about transparency, then we should show support that we should support the transparency that students actually understand, not just the transparency that looks good on paper because when two calculators speak
with two different voices, students hear only one thing. I don't know which one to trust. And and trust is something that we cannot afford to lose. not when students are making lifechanging financial decisions that will follow them for years. Mr. Chair, this
amendment is is plain common sense. It strengthens the bill. It strengthens transparency and most importantly, it strengthens students ability to make informed, confident decisions about their education. I urge my colleagues to
support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back. I thank the gentle lady. Does the gentleman from Missouri seek? >> I withdraw my point of order. >> I withdraw my point of order, Mr. Chairman.
>> The point of the reservation is withdrawn. Does anyone else seek recognition on the amendment? I then recognize myself to speak to the amendment. I appreciate sincerely my colleagues comments about calculations
being estimates. I want to point out that the bill already addresses this I believe by requiring that students be informed that these are estimates based on the best available data. I also don't want to imply that
institutional differences mean a different responsibility to provide students with the right consumer information. There is a need for all students to have clear ballpark estimates on their costs so they can plan.
With that being said, this amendment aligns with the bill and we can accept this amendment. Thank you and I yield back. Is there further debate on the amendment? If not, the question is on the amendment
by the gentle lady from North Carolina. All in favor say I. >> I. All oppose. No. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. And the amendment is agreed to. Are there any further amendments to the
amendment in the nature of a substitute? For what purpose does the gentle lady from Florida, Miss Wilson, seek to be recognized? I >> have an amendment at the desk. The clerk will report the amendment. >> Amendment to the amendment and in the nature of a substitute to HR6498 offered
by Miss Wilson of Florida, identifier WS L_061. >> Mr. Chairman, >> does the uh does the gentleman from Missouri want to reserve a point of order? >> Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order. >> Point of order reserve is reserved. I now recognize the gentle lady from
Florida, Miss Wilson, for five minutes in support of her amendment. >> Mr. Chairman, HR 6498 directs the Secretary of Education to make needed improvements to the college
scorecard and the net price calculator. But the bill lacks key provisions, ones that actually require the secretary to do the work we are giving her. In
other words, the Department of Education must do the work, house the work, and produce the work. Starting this September, we have seen the secretary use authority from the
economy act and inter agency agreements to offload the work of the department of education onto other agencies. Just last month, in an attempt to gut
the Department of Education, the department entered into six new inter agency agreements with the Department of Health and Human Services, Interior, Labor, and State, sending
multiple programs not back to the states, but instead to other federal departments. One of the original reasons the Department of Education was created
was to centralize education matters in one department instead of forcing citizens to navigate a bureaucratic maze of departments
all over Washington DC. In order to make sure that the secretary follows the clear text of this bill, my amendment would prohibit the secretary
from trying to outsource the needed improvements to the college scorecard and the net price calculator through new or current inter agency agreement.
Further, my amendment prohibits the secretary from using authority from the economy act to place orders with other departments to complete the work of
HR6948. If this committee is going to vest the secretary with power to accomplish something, it should not do so with a wink and a nod, knowing knowing fit full
well that she will pass the work on to someone else in an effort to gut the department of education. We are the education committee.
Please remember that. I urge adoption of this amendment and I yield back. >> I thank the gentle lady. Does the gentleman from Oregon insist on the point of order? >> I withdraw my point of order. >> The the reservation is withdrawn.
Does any other member seek to speak on the amendment? I then recognize myself and must state that I I stand in opposition to Representative Wilson's amendment. Uh prohibiting inter agency agreements is not what's best for
students and that truly is what we're here for. As yes, the Education and Workforce Committee, we're policy makers. Um, and the American public needs to know that we're
working for the best solutions and sometimes those come without doing the same old thing that hasn't really worked thus far. Inter agency agreements foster collaboration between agencies
and many administrations. Republican and Democrat have made use of them to improve implementation of federal law. Handcuffing the Department of Education from making use of this authority in
implementing this bill just to make a political point I believe is not common sense and is misguided. I must respectfully oppose this amendment. Is there further debate on the
amendment? If not, the question is on the amendment by the gentle lady from Florida, Miss Wilson. All in favor say I. >> All oppose, no. No. In the opinion of the chair, the nos have it and the
amendment is not agreed to. >> A roll call vote is requested. The roll call vote is ordered. Pursuant to the chair's previous announcement, this vote will be postponed. Are there any further amendments to the
amendment in the nature of a substitute HR6498? For what purpose does the representative from Virginia, the ranking member, Mr. Scott, seek to be recognized? >> I have an amendment at the desk um
6498 AMD effective date. >> The clerk will report the amendment. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR6498 offered by Mr. Scott of Virginia identifier 6498 AMD effective date.
>> Um Mr. Ander, do you wish to reserve a point of order? >> Yes, Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order. >> A point of order is reserved. I now recognize the gentleman from Virginia, the ranking member, Mr. Scott, for five minutes in support of his amendment. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, HR6498
would require the Department of Education to implement all of these changes to the college school score school score school score school score school score school score school score school score school score school score school score school score school score school score school score school score school score school score school score school score school board as my colleagues and I have already expressed I do not have confidence that the this administration will faithfully implement
u this bill institute of education sciences has next to no staff left right now and the secretary McMahon has signaled more dismantling of the department still to come. My amendment would provide funding to the department
to implement the sweeping reforms of HR6498. Without dedicated funding and staffing, these changes cannot be implemented. I would also it would also require the department to report to Congress explicitly how the agency plans to
utilize the funds. This is critical to hold the administration accountable for following the directives of Congress. To ensure that the provisions of the bill can actually be implemented, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment. Yield back. >> I thank the gentleman. Does the
gentleman from Oregon insist on the point of order? >> I withdraw my point of order. >> Reservation is withdrawn. Are there any others who wish to be recognized on this amendment? Seeing none, I recognize myself uh in
opposition to the amendment. I believe for too long the federal bureaucracy has expanded without regard to operational efficiency or cost to the American taxpayer. Uh the Trump administration has yes
indeed taken great steps to reduce the government bloat while still maintaining effectiveness. Um, this bill does not create new programs or new bureaucracy. Instead, it uses data to answer questions students have about cost,
debt, and their earnings. This aligns with the goals of the administration and I would say myself as well. We have seen some evidences of success, significant success that were not seen
in the last administration, specifically with FAFSA. I uh certainly reserve u my opinions on whether success will come with other efforts but thus far we
have seen a willingness to not simply try things but plan beforehand and also align department of education uh employees with other agencies as well. I believe truly again this does align with the goals of the
administration. Just this week the administration announced a needed improvement on the FAFSA form that I mentioned uh to provide more information about the typical earnings of a college graduate. There is no need I believe to increase
government bureaucracy and funding just for funding's sake. And so with that, um, I will oppose the amendment. Thank you. I yield back. Is there further debate on the amendment?
If not, the question is on the amendment by the gentleman from Virginia, the ranking member, Mr. Scott. All in favor say I. >> All oppose, no. No. In the opinion of the chair, the nose have it and the
amendment is not agreed to. >> A roll call vote is ordered. Pursuant to the chair's previous announcement, this vote will be postponed. Are there any further amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR6498?
Um, for what purpose does a gentleman from Virginia seek to be recognized? Mr. >> Chairman, I have an Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk AMD NPC. The clerk will report the amendment. >> Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR6498 offered by Mr.
Scott of Virginia identifier DEM AMD NPC. >> Uh does the gentleman from Missouri uh reserve seek to reserve a point of order? >> Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order. >> A point of order is reserved. I now
recognize the gentleman for Virginia uh the ranking member, Mr. Scott, for five minutes in support of his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, as we talk about the cost of education, we'd like to point out that congressional Republicans passed their big ugly law that transferred $30
billion from federal student aid to billionaires tax cuts. My amendment would add just one important additional piece of information to the universal net price calculator and that would show students how much federal aid they would
have received had it not been for the cuts in the big ugly bill to PEL grants and student loans. Since my colleagues are so confident that the big ugly bill will improve college affordability, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment so that students can see the
alleged improvement. I yield back. I thank the gentleman. Uh does the gentleman from Missouri insist on the point of order? >> Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my point of order. >> A point of order is with withdrawn. Does anyone wish to speak further on the
amendment? Um Mr. Ander, gentleman from Missouri, do you wish to speak on the amendment? >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> You're recognized. >> I am opposed to this amendment. This amendment would be both unreasonable and unnecessary for improving college cost transparency. It would weaken the net
price calculators usefulness by adding a needless and distracting policy comparison that would only serve to make the tool more confusing for students and families. Thank you and I yield back. others who seek recognition on this amendment.
>> Seeing none, if uh the question now comes on the amendment by the gentleman for Virginia, Mr. Scott, all in favor say I. >> I. >> All oppose, no. No. In the opinion of the chair, the nos have it and the
amendment is not agreed to. Roll call. Are there any further amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute? Seeing none, further action on HR6498 is postponed. We'll now move to consider
the next bill. The committee will now proceed to consideration of the bill HR6502 for amendment. The amendment was circ The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies
are available. The clerk shall designate the bill >> HR6502, a bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of of Education to develop requirements for institutions of higher education on
formatting financial aid offer forms and for other purposes. >> Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with. Without objection, the bill will be considered as read and open for amendment at any point. and any amendment offered shall be considered as read. Does anyone seek
to be recognized? Chairwoman >> Representative Ander, for what purpose do you seek recognition? >> Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk. >> This clerk shall designate the amendment in the nature of a substitute. >> Amendment in the nature of a substitute
to HR6502 offered by Mr. and of Missouri identifier ANS AID_01. >> The clerk shall designate the amendment in nature of substitute without objection. The amendment shall be considered original text for purposes of further amendment. The amendment in a
nature of a substitute has already been distributed. I now recognize the gentleman from Missouri, Mr. Ander, for five minutes to explain the amendment in the nature of a substitute. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. HR6502
is the college financial aid clarity act will put honest, clear, and comparable information into the hands of students and families so that they can make sound decisions about post-secary education and finances.
Post-secary education is a competitive market. Students and families are deciding whether to exchange time and money for a credential. That competitive market functions best when buyers and sellers have the same facts. Today, too many institutions provide aid offers
that confuse rather than inform, presenting loans as aid, hiding required costs and using inconsistent formats that make applesto apples comparisons nearly impossible. A 2022 GAO report
found that 91% of colleges failed to follow best pricing practices in financial aid offers. Unsurprisingly, trust in higher education pricing has eroded. Only one in four Americans now thinks college is quote worth the money.
And eight and 10 say colleges are doing a fair or poor job of keeping tuition affordable. HR6502 fixes these problems by requiring the Department of Education to develop a standardized consumer tested format for
financial aid offers and requires institutions that receive federal funds to adopt that format. Under the bill, the department will conduct extensive consumer testing with students, families, counselors, colleges, lenders, and states and publish final formatting
requirements by July 1st, 2028. Beginning July 1st, 2029, institutions would be required to implement these standardized formats. It is past time to restore trust in higher education, reduce predatory and misleading aid practices, and help families make more
informed comparable decisions about college. My amendment redu removes redundant language, makes technical improvements, and strengthens enforcement by having a random sample of aid offers periodically reviewed for compliance. I urge my colleagues to
support my amendment and to support the college financial aid clarity act. With that, I yield back. I thank the gentleman. Are there any members who wish to be recognized for further discussion on the amendment and the nature of a substitute?
>> Miss Wilson, >> u the gentle lady from Florida, Miss Wilson, do you wish to be recognized? Let's just go to Mr. Scott. >> Uh, does the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Scott, wish to be recognized on the amendment and the nature of the
substitute? >> Yes, Mr. Speaker. >> You're recognized. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, we're marking up a bill that will require colleges and universities to provide aid offer information in a more standardized way than is currently required. Though, it still may cause some confusion.
Currently, federal law does not require institutions to standardize terminology and formatting in financial aid offer forms. This means that financial aid offer forms can vary across institutions, which can make it difficult to compare aid offers for
students and families. This has been a long-standing concern for both students and families. So, I acknowledge my Republican colleagues the effort my Republican colleagues have taken to ensure that colleges and universities are presenting aid office information
with clarity and with some formatting requirements. This bill will require the Secretary of Education and this bill would also require the Secretary of Education to conduct consumer testing to establish requirements for institutions on formatting financial aid offer forms.
And though this bill does provide some transparency in financial aid information, particularly the required costs, the bill fails to define indirect costs, which are those costs which are not directly build to the student. omitting uh what these indirect costs
are that students must pay like housing that's not built to the student by the institution run counter to the goal of providing transparency in financial aid offer forms. Additionally, while uh the bill includes language on the students
net price, which is the cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied, this bill will require institutions to provide program level metrics, which include annual net price of attendance and the annual net price
of completion in the financial aid offer forms. These metrics are a shift in what advocates in the field are suggesting is required for the these metrics are a shift from what the advocates in the field are suggesting which is to require
institutions to provide clarity in financial aid offer forms but not requiring the institutions provide program level data specifically for financial aid forms. This bill also includes additional metrics which focus on the average net price of attendance
and the average net price required for completion which would mean that institutions would be required to provide data on the averages of students attending the institution and completing their degree of study. And it'll be clear, program level data is important, but at the same time, including this
information in financial aid offer forms can present an overload of information that could be confusing for students and families as they try to compare aid offers under these new metrics. Bottom line is that I acknowledge this may be a step in the right direction. However,
there may be elements in this bill that appear to be overly complicated in what needs to be presented in terms of cost information when financial aid offer forms in clear and transparent matter. In any event, it's important to note
that explaining the cost better does not offset the increase in cost to students inflicted by the big ugly bill. Mr. Chairman, I yield back. >> I thank the gentleman. Are there any other members who wish to be recognized
for further discussion on the amendment and the nature of the substitute? >> I move to strike the last word. >> Uh I recognize the gentle lady from Florida, Miss Wilson. >> Do you wish to speak on the amendment
and the nature of the substitute? >> This bill gets something right. You're recognized. This bill gets something right. Students deserve financial aid offers that are straightforward,
comparable, and honest. Standard terminology, clearer explanations of what is a grant and what is a loan. Disclosures about renewability and outside scholarships.
Those are basic protections for first generation and lowincome students. A transparent aid letter can be the difference between a smart investment and a financial disaster.
But it is hard to take Republicans sudden passion for clarity seriously while they are dismantling the Department of Education in broad daylight.
You cannot say you want students to understand their aid and then scatter core education functions across the federal bureaucracy, dumping them into the departments of
labor, interior, state, and health and human services. as if students protections were just another line item in a workforce spreadsheet.
You cannot claim to care about clean accurate financial aid officers offers while you are cutting the very staff who build the tools, safeguard the data and
enforce the rules. And let's be clear, the cuts and structural changes wrapped into the one big ugly law have hollowed out the
federal capacity needed to make any of this work. Now there are fewer people to monitor compliance, fewer people to respond when colleges
mislead students, fewer people to keep the technology running and guard student privacy rights. Yet somehow we are told that a
new set of formatting rules will fix everything. If we truly want financial aid clarity, it takes more than a nicely designed
letter head. It takes a strong, fully funded department of education with the resources and workforce to back
up the fine print with real accountability. Anything less is just rebranding posing as reform.
Mr. Chair, we are the education committee and we should be supporting the department of education and I yield
back. >> I thank the gentle lady. Are there any other members who wish to be recognized for further discussion on the amendment in the nature of a substitute? There being no further discussion on the amendment and nature of the substitute, the committee will move on to
consideration of amendments. Are there any members who wish would like to offer amendments? Uh I recognize the gentle lady from North Carolina, Miss Adams. You wish to be recognized for an amendment. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I I have an amendment at the desk. DM
AMD_T. Uh the clerk will designate >> amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR6502 offered by Miss Adams of North Carolina identifier dem_amdore true cost.
>> Does the gentleman from Missouri wish to be recognized? >> Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order. >> A point of order is reserved. I now recognize the gentle lady from North Carolina, Miss Adams, for uh uh discussion on her her amendment. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh this bill,
as mentioned earlier, is a step in the right direction for helping students and families compare cost information in financial aid offers. However, despite this improvement, there are additional steps and in some ways redirections
needed to ensure that student and families will be able to easily compare cost, college costs across institutions where all the required information in the financial aid forms is presented in a clear and consistent manner. This
amendment, the language of the understanding the true cost of college act will require the the secretary of education to develop standard terminology and a standard form for financial aid offers. Uh this would mean
that colleges and universities will be required to present costs and aid information in a clear and consistent manner. Unlike the Republican bill, this amendment would create standardization by ensuring that colleges and
universities use the same terminology, definitions, and formatting on financial aid offer forms. This amendment will help bring clarity to an often to an often confusing yet complex process for
students and families as they compare college costs uh information across institutions. Additionally, this amendment has bipartisan support across both chambers and is heavily supported among advocates
in the field, which will provide students and families with what they need to easily compare financial aid offers. I'm a I'm a parent and I have grandchildren right now in college and we're always looking at that. But while
my Republican colleagues do take certain steps in their bill to improve how certain elements must appear and and how that information is ordered, unfortunately, this bill falls short of standardization and and creating a uniform financial aid
offer form for colleges and universities. Further, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment that will ensure greater transparency in financial aid office. And Mr. Chairman, I yield that. >> I thank the gentle lady. Does the gentleman from Missouri insist on the
point of order? >> I withdraw my point of order, Mr. Chairman. >> The reservation is withdrawn. Does anyone else seek recognition on the amendment? If not, I would like to speak on the amendment myself. I I I'm glad to see my colleagues are also interested in
proving transparency financial aid offers. Uh the college financial aid clarity act uh builds on many concepts from past bills including the concepts proposed in the democrat amendment. Uh there is a lot of overlap and
agreement and if we had more time prior to this being offered we maybe would have been able to work them out. Unfortunately, offering this as a lastminute amendment means we don't have that time to do a full comparison
and work out differences at this moment. However, I'd be happy to continue to work with my colleague on areas we agree on moving to the floor, but I'm opposed to this amendment at this time.
Thank you. I yield back. Is there further debate on the amendment? If not, the question is on the amendment by the gentle lady from North Carolina. All in favor say I. >> All oppose. No. No.
In the opinion of the chair, the nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to. Mr. >> Chair request a recorded vote. >> A roll call vote is ordered. Pursuant to the chair's previous announcement, this vote will be postponed.
I now recognize the gentle lady from Oregon, Miss Bonamichi, uh, to speak on an amendment. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk, Bami_062. >> The clerk will designate the amendment. Amendment to the amendment in the nature
of a substitute to HR6502 offered by Miss Bonamichi of Oregon identifier Bami_062. >> Uh does the member from Missouri reserve a point of order? >> I reserve a point of order, Mr. Chairman. >> Point of order is reserved. I now recognize the gentle lady from Oregon,
Miss Bonamichi, for five minutes in support of her amendment. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I want to start by saying that we spent time this morning with this bill, HR6502 and HR6498 talking about transparency and how and when and why we're going to tell
students and families that college is expensive, but we're not doing anything to make college more affordable, which is what we should be doing. Uh that is the underlying issue, Mr. Chairman, is that we should be making college more affordable. Um so so Mr. Chairman with
regard to this amendment this bill directs the secretary of education to oversee the standardization of information including in included in financial award letters from institutions of higher education. That that's a lotable concept but again
it doesn't do anything to make college more affordable. But one of the sections of this bill is actually titled secretarial requirements. Based on the track record of the Secretary of Education, it would not surprise me if she's already devising a way to pass these requirements on to someone else or
to some other agency. Um, after all, the president asked her to put herself out of a job. We all know that the secretary is actively decimating the department. And if Congress wants to be taken seriously, it must not avoid this truth, but confronted in every new piece of
legislation, entrusting the secretary with power. Um, and I assure you, Mr. Chairman, this is not a a political issue. This is about legislative intent and clarity. We are making legislation here. That's what this committee is doing. And the words of this bill talk
about the secretary's responsibilities. So to guarantee that the secretary will actually follow the clear intent of Congress in this legislation, my amendment would prohibit the secretary from delegating the power and function she is given in this bill to any other federal entity, private or public
organization. This is about legislative intent and clarity and having the secretary of education who is given responsibilities in this bill under this bill made clear. So, if we truly want to get the standardization of award letters
correct, which is something students and families need and deserve, we should not avoid the fact that this technical work will need to be done by people with a subject matter expertise to accomplish it at the Department of Education. I urge adoption of the amendment and I
yield back. >> I thank the gentle lady. Does the gentleman from Missouri insist on the point of order? I withdraw my point of order. >> The reservation is withdrawn.
Does anyone else seek recognition on the amendment? I recognize myself for five minutes uh in opposition to the amendment to limit the Department of Education's ability to transfer functions to other departments. We know and it's been very clear this
administration, the secretary of education um and as mentioned today the chairman of this committee would would desire to abolish the department of education which has failed its function for well really since it
was formed. However, we also know that there is law and Congress will have to abolish it. And so we believe that the administration and the secretary
are sincerely following the law in attempting to do the functions that are required based upon the department still being in place, but to do it better than it's done before.
Inter agency partnerships are crucial for communication and collaboration on important issues and have been used by multiple administrations both Republican and Democrat. I'm concerned that this amendment could
impede the Department of Education's respability to utilize flexibilities in federal law designed to promote more effective implementation and success in this case for education.
Let's refocus our attention on ensuring every student is informed and able to make wise decisions about their post-secary future. and I yield back. Is there further debate on the amendment?
If not, the question is on the amendment by the gentle lady from Oregon, Miss Bonamichi. All in favor say I. >> All oppose, no. No. In the opinion of the chair, the nos have it and the
amendment is not agreed to. A roll call vote is ordered. Pursuant to the chair's previous announcement, this vote will be postponed. Are there any further amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR6502?
For what purpose does the gentle lady from Florida, Miss Wilson, seek to be recognized? >> Have an amendment at the desk. The clerk will report the amendment. >> Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR6502
offered by Miss Wilson of Florida, identifier WS L_062. >> Mr. Chairman, >> Mr. Ander, do you uh wish to reserve a point of order? >> Yes, Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order. >> Point of order is reserved. I now recognize the gentle lady from Florida,
Miss Wilson, for five minutes in support of her amendment. >> Mr. Chairman HR6502 directs the Secretary of Education to issue standardized requirements
for financial aid award letters. My amendment would simply make sure that we get the Secretary of Education to work on this and not another
department. The secretary is actively dismantling the department of education through the use of authority from the economy act and a inter agency
agreements. This is already resulting in bureaucratic confusion as students, teachers, and school administrators have no sense of who to contact when
they have questions about federal policies. In fact, members of Congress have no idea who to contact. Representative Darno and I visited the
secretary and you can tell that she has no idea who we should contact. In fact, when we visited her, they were actually planning a job fair the next
day. So, what you talking about? Chaos and confusion. Financial aid to go to college is an opportunity to change the life of a
student through higher education. It is too important to allow the Secretary of Education and this Congress and this committee to
pass the buck to another department in order to make sure that the secretary follows the clear text of this bill. My amendment would prohibit the
secretary from using new or current inter agency agreements to accomplish the goals of HR652. Further, my amendment prohibits the secretary from using authority from the
economy act to place orders with other departments to complete the work of HR652. The secretary has been forthright about following the
president's directive to put herself out of a job. And when I spoke with the secretary, I said to her, "Do you really want your
legacy to be the dismantling of the Department of Education?" Think about that. Think about what you are doing. We would do well to remember another
quote. This one from Maya Angelou. When someone shows you who they are, believe them. This secretary has made it clear.
She wants to gut the Department of Education and not perform the duties she should be doing as Secretary of Education. So, let's take her at her word and adopt
this amendment to prevent that. And I yield back. >> I thank the gentle lady. Mr. Ander, do you insist on a point of order? >> I withdraw my point of order. >> The reservation is withdrawn. Does anyone else seek recognition on the
amendment? >> Mr. Mr. Chairman, >> I I would just like to speak in favor of the amendment. >> I recognize the gentle lady from Oregon to speak in favor of the amendment. You recognize >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um I think we're we're always looking for smarter,
better ways to do things, but uh dividing responsibilities between what's left of the Department of Education and and giving massive new responsibilities primarily to the Department of Labor, but other agencies as well, uh is actually inefficient. uh and and
oftentimes requires people to work with two different agencies instead of one. For example, uh by sending title one to the department of labor, the entitled title title one budget is bigger than the entire department of labor budget. But I certainly don't see the expertise
or the staff uh that that's needed to meet those responsibilities. So uh I again I I don't agree that these these particular inter agency agreements are going to make things uh uh smoother or more efficient. I think it's going to
create more bureaucracy but also uh more uh confusion and and more misinformation without having the appropriate staff or funding. So I support uh the amendment by the gentleoman from Florida and I encourage others to do the same and I yield back.
I thank the gentle lady. Does anyone else seek recognition on the amendment? If not, I recognize myself um for five minutes. For too long, the federal bureaucracy has expanded unchecked.
Inter agency partnerships are a common sense response to bloated government by encouraging collaboration on important issues and ensuring laws are implemented effectively regardless of size or even cost.
The challenge is taken and received and the effort is made. We're here to discuss bills that will provide students with more information on the cost of attending school, equipping them to make smart financial decisions as they pursue post-secary
coursework. We shouldn't get distracted by political arguments that could be also make implementation of this bill less effective and efficient. And for that reason, I must
oppose this amendment and I yield back. Is there further debate on the amendment? If not, the question is on the amendment by the gentle lady from Florida, Miss Wilson. All in favor say I.
>> All oppose, no. No. In the opinion of the chair, the nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to. A roll call vote is ordered. Pursuant to the chair's previous announcement, this vote will be postponed.
If there were uh there are no further amendments being offered uh for that reason further action on HR 6502 is being postponed pursu pursuant to the previous order. The chair declares the
committee in recess subject to the call of the chair. We expect to reconvene promptly at 300 p.m. Thank you. So, the committee stands in recess. for uh getting backside. We have a few more coming and we can
hold the board a bit, but I think we ought to get going. But first, I want to take an opportunity to say thank you to u an for all you did to uh put a wonderful party for the committee together last night. And those of you
that were here know the great food that we had and fellowship. Uh it was good to be together for the Christmas holiday party. So and thank you very much for heading that up. Did a great job. God knows we don't have enough parties
going on around this time of year, but uh nonetheless, this committee had a good one. It was good to see all the staff here and get a chance to uh talk across the aisle. >> Y'all were invited. >> I didn't go out.
>> We didn't get an invitation, Mr. Chair, over this. >> Let me uh >> check I think we ought to take that up with the ranking member or something here. But but I tell you just >> those of you that were here, you appreciated so much the rendition of
Good King Wes that Bobby and I did. Uh it was impressive, wasn't it, Bobby? That we could stay on key. And >> if you Let's get moving. I here I move that the committee report the bill HR6392
to the House of Representatives with amendment and with >> rec. Did we adopt the amendment as >> we did? >> We did with amendment and with the recommendation that the amendment be agreed to and the bill to p do pass. The
question now occurs on the chair's motion. All in favor say I. I >> I >> All oppose. No. In the opinion of the chairs, Christmas has arrived. And no, that didn't say that there. The eyes have it
>> and the motion is agreed. Would you like a recorder vote? A recorder vote has been requested. Uh members will record their votes using the electronic voting system. Uh the clerk will open the board.
Have all members been recorded >> who wish to be recorded? Do any members wish to change their vote? >> Hearing none, will the clerk please close the vote and announce the tally?
>> Mr. Chairman on this vote, there are 33 yays and zero nays. >> The eyes have it and the motion is agreed to. HR 6392 as amended and the accompanying material shall be transmitted to the House of Representatives. chair notes for the
record that a quorum is present. We'll now be voting on one amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR6472. The amendment offered by Miss Adams titled AdamNc558. A recorded vote is requested.
The members will record their votes using the electronic voting system. Open the vote, please. >> Measures have description. Yes. This amendment uh by Representative
Adams requires the federal government to reimburse each public school for the difference between instate and out ofstate tuition for students taking advantage of the benefit of this bill. This provision will cost money and no such provision was included during the other times we are provided uh we have
provided this benefit to other populations. School boards are off. >> If you would show the uh the vote. Have all members been recorded who wish to be recorded. Do any members wish to change their votes? Hearing none, will the clerk please
close the vote and announce the tally? >> Mr. Chairman, on this vote there are 14 yays and 19 nays. The amendment is not adopted. The question now occurs on the amendment in the nature of a substitute as amended
to HR6472. >> No amendment. >> No amendment. All in favor say I. >> All oppose? No. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. An amendment in the nature of substitute is agreed to.
I hereby move that the committee report the bill HR6472 to the House of Representatives with amendment and with the recommendation that the amendment be agreed to and the bill do pass. The question now occurs on the chair's motion. All in favor say I.
I. >> All oppose. No. >> In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. Then the motion is agreed to. Recorded vote has been requested. Members will record their votes using the electronic voting system. Open the vote, please.
Have all members been recorded who wish to be recorded? Do any members wish to change their vote? Hearing none, will the clerk please close the vote and announce the tally? >> Mr. Chairman, on this vote there are 32 yays and one nay. >> The eyes have it and the motion is
agreed to. HR 6472 as amended and the accompanying materials shall be transmitted to the House of Representatives. The chair notes for the record that a quorum is present. We'll now be voting on four amendments to the amendment in nature of a
substitute to HR6498. The amendment offered by representative Tano Tano 030. A recorded vote is requested. Members will record their votes using
the electronic voting system. The clerk will open the vote. Have all members been recorded who wish to be recorded? Do any members wish to change their vote? Hearing none, will the clerk please close the vote and announce the
tally? >> Mr. Chairman, on this vote there are 14 yays and 19 nazs. >> The amendment is not adopted. We'll now be voting on amendment bonamy
061 by representative Bonamichi. A recorded vote is requested. Members will record their votes using electronic voting system. The clerk will open the vote. Have all members been recorded who wish to be recorded?
Do any members wish to change their vote? Hearing none, will the clerk please close the vote and announce the tally? >> Mr. Chairman, on this vote, there are 14 yays and 19 nazs. >> The amendment is not adopted.
We will now be voting on a third amendment which is uh Representative Wilson's amendment Wilif061. A recorded vote is requested. Members will record their votes using electronic voting system. The clerk will open the
vote. Have all members been recorded who wish to be recorded? Do any members wish to change their vote? Hearing none, will the clerk please close the vote and announce the tally? >> Mr. Chairman, on this vote, there are 14
yays and 19 nays. The >> amendment is not adopted. We now move to Representative Scott's amendment uh noted as 6498MD effective date. The clerk will open the board.
Have all members been recorded who wish to be recorded? Do any members wish to change their vote? Hearing none, will the clerk close the vote and announce the tally? >> Mr. chairman on this vote there are 14 nays and 19 nays.
>> The amendment is not adopted. The question now occurs on the amendment and the nature of a substitute as amended to HR6498. All in favor say I. >> I. All oppose. No.
In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment in the nature of a substitute as amended is agreed to. I hereby my move that the committee report the bill HR6498 to the House of Representatives with amendment and with the recommendation
that the amendment be agreed to and the bill do pass. The question now occurs on the chair's motion. All in favor say I. I. All oppose. No. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the motion is agreed to.
Does anyone request record a vote? Record a vote is requested. Members will record their votes using the electronic voting system. The clerk will open the vote. Have all members been recorded who wish to be recorded?
Do any members wish to change their vote? Hearing none, will the clerk please close the vote and announce the tally? >> Mr. Chairman, on this vote, there are 27 yays and six nays. >> The eyes have it and the motion is agreed to. HR6498
as amended and the accompanying material shall be transmitted to the House of Representatives. The chair notes for the record that a quorum is present. We'll now be voting on three amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute HR6502.
The amendment offered by Miss Adams uh noted as demd true cost. A recorded vote is requested. Members will record their votes using the
electronic voting system. The clerk will open the vote. Have all members been recorded who wish to be recorded? Do any members wish to change their vote? Hearing none, will the clerk please close the vote and announce the tally?
>> Mr. Chairman, on this vote, there are 14 yays and 19 nazs. >> The amendment is not adopted. We'll now be voting on Representative Bonamichi's amendment. Bonam_062. A recorded vote is requested. Members
will record their votes using electronic voting system. The clerk will open the vote. Have all members been recorded who wish to be recorded? Do any members wish to change their vote? >> Hearing none. Will the clerk please
close the vote and announce the tally? >> Mr. Chairman, on this vote, there are 14 yays and 19 nays. >> The amendment is not adopted. We now move to the final me amendment. Uh, Representative Wilson of Florida, uh, identified as WILS_062.
Recorded vote has been requested. Members will record their vote using electronic voting system. The clerk will open the vote. Have all members been recorded who wish to be recorded? Do any members wish to change their vote?
Hearing none, will the clerk please close the vote and announce the tally? >> Mr. Chairman, on this vote there are 14 yays and 19 nays. >> The amendment is not adopted. >> The question now occurs on the amendment and the nature of a substitute to HR6502.
All in favor say I. I. >> All oppose, no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. An amendment and the nature of a substitute is agreed to. I hereby move that the committee report the bill HR6502 to the House of
Representatives with amendment and with the recommendation that the amendment be agreed to and the bill do pass. The question now occurs on the chair's motion. All in favor say I. I. >> All oppose, no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes
have it and the motion is agreed to. Recorded vote is requested. Members will record their vote using the electronic voting system. The clerk will open the vote. Got to look at my fingers. Have all members been recorded who wish to be recorded?
Do any members wish to change their vote? Hearing none, will the clerk please close the vote and announce the tally? >> Mr. Chairman, on this vote, there are 23 yays and 10 nays. >> The eyes have it. The motion is agreed to. HR6502 as amended, and the
accompanying material shall be transmitted to the House of Representatives to chair notes for the record that quorum is present. I ask unanimous consent that staff be authorized to make necessary technical and conforming changes to today's bills. Without objection, so ordered. Pursuant
to House Rule 11, clause 2L, I give notice that all members have the requisite number of days to file supplemental, minority, additional, or desending views. Without objection, so ordered. Without objection, any members who wish to insert materials into the
record may do so by submitting them to the committee clerk electronically by the end of the day today. If there is no further business before the committee, without objection, the committee stands adjourned.