June 26, 2025

Leading the News this Week

The Senate is inching closer to having a finalized reconciliation package. Currently, the Senate parliamentarian has evaluated the higher education provisions in the bill (more on this below). The next step involves the Senate chamber voting on its reconciliation plan. Then, the House and Senate are to resolve the differences between their proposals before reaching a vote. 

In the meantime, we will continue our advocacy efforts so that the final reconciliation bill takes on the shape of the Senate plan. We urge you to do the same when you communicate with your elected officials in both chambers.

Any questions or requests for support in contacting the Senate should be directed to publicpolicy@acct.org. 

News in Higher Education

Reconciliation Higher Education Provisions Emerge from the Byrd Bath

The budget reconciliation bill is experiencing what is known as the "Byrd Bath," where the Senate parliamentarian evaluates the provisions of the bill to ensure they comply with the "Byrd Rule". In budget reconciliation, the bill can only address matters of taxation or provisions that will have a direct budgetary impact; provisions that are solely policies with no budgetary outcome are out of order. Provisions deemed out of order must garner 60 votes in the Senate to pass, rather than a simple majority.

In terms of higher education provisions, the Senate parliamentarian has deemed the Workforce Pell Grants provisions as out of order. Workforce Pell Grants are meant to provide students enrolled in workforce programs that range from 8 to 15 weeks, offered by postsecondary institutions or an entity that has entered into a program participation agreement with the Department of Education, with federal aid.   

For the provision on student loan repayment plans, which redesigns the standard plan to consist of payments over 10 to 25 years and creates the Repayment Assistance Plan, the parliamentarian has determined that these plans cannot be applied to existing borrowers.

Meanwhile, it is uncertain if Senate Majority Leader John Thune (SD) will be able to have the reconciliation bill reach the Senate floor and see passage in the Senate chamber by July 4th. 

Department of Education Plans to Send CTE to Labor

Earlier this month, the Departments of Education (ED) and Labor struck an agreement where ED would send $2.7 billion to the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) so it can manage numerous education grants. In this plan, ED intends to transfer the functions of its Office of Career Technical and Adult Education (OCTAE) to the Department of Labor, a decision that is currently blocked by the May 22nd ruling that does not permit ED to transfer its functions to other agencies. Currently, the Trump administration has appealed this court order to the Supreme Court. Critics of this plan state that it can cause confusion for CTE grant recipients and does not account for the expertise that would be lost if CTE were to transfer to the Department of Labor. Meanwhile, supporters see this plan as an opportunity to streamline data collection, provide better program outcomes, and create alignment between CTE programs and the Department of Labor's training programs. 

Judge Orders the Reinstatement of Laid-off Employees at the Office of Civil Rights

A federal judge has found that since the Department of Education's Reduction in Force (RIF), the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has been unable to open new investigations while also pausing existing complaints. The RIF has resulted in a loss of 55 percent of OCR's investigative staff, thus more than doubling in caseloads for each existing OCR staff member. The judge ordered the department “to restore the OCR to the status quo such that it is able to carry out its statutory functions.” Meanwhile, the Department of Education intends to appeal this ruling.

Grant Opportunities

Please review the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education's Community College webpage for new grants community colleges are eligible for.

Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Rehabilitation Long-Term Training program

The Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) has opened several grants in which grantees, such as institutions of higher education, are to award at least 65 percent of project funds as scholarships to students enrolled in the  Rehabilitation Long-Term Training (RLTT) program. The closing date for these opportunities is July 17, 2025. Click here for more information. 

• July 3- Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program Application Due
• July 11, 01:00 PM ET - LAW Live Webinar
• July 17: Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Rehabilitation Training: Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Program Closing Date
• Aug 1, 01:00 PM ET - LAW Live Webinar
• Sep 5, 01:00 PM ET - LAW Live Webinar
• October 22 - 25 - ACCT Leadership Congress

Outreach Efforts

Is your institution meeting or hosting an event with federal elected officials?

We created a Congressional Contact Form that will help us track outreach efforts of community college leaders across our membership. By filling out the form, you are better informing ACCT's advocacy efforts and our advocacy team is able to continue those conversations with congressional staff in DC. 

ACCT NOW is the go-to resource for issues affecting community colleges. Our new website features original reporting and research, as well as of-the-moment legislative updates. ACCT NOW also includes articles, reports, and research from outside sources that benefit the ACCT community. Read the Latest Articles on ACCT NOW:

Would you Like a Federal Update Session for Your Team?

Both this new presidential administration and new Congress have brought with them a flurry of developments in the federal landscape that can make keeping up a monumental task. ACCT's Government Relations team is here to help by offering a 45-minute to an-hour federal update session to community college leadership teams who are ACCT members. To request a session, fill out this form and please email publicpolicy@acct.org with any questions.

Have a Question?

Contact us with any questions or concerns about public policy and ACCT's advocacy on behalf of two-year colleges and two-year college trustees. ACCT's Latest Action in Washington alerts are sent to interested ACCT members to keep you up to date on important legislative activities that impact community colleges.

If you no longer wish to receive ACCT's Latest Action in Washington alerts, reply to this email with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. For more information about ACCT's advocacy services, visit acct.org/advocacy

Spread the Word.

Please encourage your fellow trustees, presidents and colleagues to stay up to date about legislation that affects their community colleges by joining the Latest Action in Washington (LAW) Alert network. To join, simply register here. 

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