This Week in Legislation - Week of March 6, 2017

Week of March 6, 2017

 

·         This week, both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate are in session for legislative business. However, neither chamber is expected to consider student financial aid-related legislation.

·         On Tuesday at 3:00 p.m., the Federal Reserve releases its “Consumer Credit – G.19” report, which includes the amount of outstanding federal and private student loans. 

·         On Wednesday at 8:30 a.m., the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics hosts House Budget Committee Ranking Member John Yarmuth (D-KY) who will brief attendees on budget issues facing this session of Congress.

·         On Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies holds a hearing to receive testimony from members of the public on their priorities for the fiscal year 2018 appropriations bill. Witnesses will be announced at a later date.

·         On Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee holds a hearing entitled, “Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).” As part of the committee’s oversight responsibilities, the hearing will have a broad scope covering every aspect of the agency and major policy issues before the commission. Witnesses include: The Honorable Ajit Pai, Chairman, FCC; The Honorable Mignon Clyburn, Commissioner, FCC; and The Honorable Michael O’Rielly, Commissioner, FCC.

·         On Wednesday at 12:00 p.m., the National Adult Learner Coalition hosts an event titled, “Adult Learners and the Economy,” to discuss how changes in federal policy can help adult learners overcome the challenges they face, which will ultimately create a stronger workforce in the future. Participants include: Anthony Carnevale, Research Professor and Director, McCourt School of Public Policy at the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce; John Cavanaugh, President and Chief Executive Officer, Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area; and Monique Wardrick, adult learner, veteran, and recent graduate, University of Maryland University College.

·         On Wednesday at 2:00 p.m., the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government holds a hearing to receive testimony from Members of Congress on their funding priorities for the fiscal year 2018 appropriations bill. The subcommittee has jurisdiction over the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, FCC, Federal Trade Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other independent agencies.

·         On Thursday at 12:00 p.m., the Federal Reserve releases its “Financial Accounts of the United States - Z.1” report, which examines the assets, liabilities, net worth, and consumer credit (including student loans) of households, nonprofit organizations, and nonfinancial corporate businesses. The Z.1 report is released four times a year, in March, June, September, and December.

·         Saturday through next Tuesday, all day, the American Council on Education (ACE) holds its 99^th Annual Meeting, which provides an opportunity to explore and discuss the major issues facing postsecondary institutions today. The conference will includes sessions titled: “The Next Wave of Higher Education Change,” “A Guide to Taking Advantage of Public Service Loan Forgiveness,” “Higher Education in the Balance: What Does Society Want from Colleges and Universities,” and “American College Application Campaign: Working with Higher Education Leaders to Promote Access and Completion.”

 

This information is shared by SASFAA's Legislative Affairs' Committee and NCHER.