February 13, 2025

With the start of a new Congress and a new Presidential Administration, now would be a great time to spread the word on ACCT's Latest Action in Washington (LAW) Alerts. Please encourage your fellow trustees, presidents, and colleagues to stay up to date about legislation that affects their community colleges by joining the LAW Alert network. To join, simply register here. 

Leading the news this week: 

Yesterday concluded the Community College National Legislative Summit. ACCT and AACC would like to thank everyone who attended and engaged in advocacy efforts here in Washington, DC that educated and reminded our law makers that the work community colleges do is important, transformative, and powerful. We view this as a step in the advocacy process and we look forward to hearing about your engagement as you support community college priorities at home. Please make sure to fill out our Congressional Contact Form. This helps us track outreach efforts of community college leaders across our membership and our advocacy team is able to continue those conversations with congressional staff in DC. 

Latest News in Higher Education

Confirmation Hearing of Secretary of Education Nominee, Linda McMahon

Today the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) held the confirmation hearing for President Trump's nominee, Linda McMahon, to lead the Department of Education. Upon answering Ranking Member, Senator Bernie Sanders' question regarding the status of Pell Grants under her leadership, McMahon said “Defunding is not the goal here… I’d actually even like to see an expansion of Pell Grants, I’d like to see short-term certificates for Pell Grants for students who aren’t going on to four year universities who could have the opportunity to use Pell Grants for skill based learning.” (minute 37 of the inserted video). Her comments serve as an indication of support for workforce Pell. Moreover, McMahon articulated that the outright elimination of the Department of Education cannot be done without Congressional action.  Chair Cassidy has announced the HELP committee will hold a committee vote on Thursday February 20th. If McMahon receives the majority of committee votes, her nomination will advance for a full Senate vote.

The HELP Committee conducts confirmation hearing for President Trump's nominee for Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon. (Associated Press)

The Institute of Education Sciences Face DOGE Cuts

The independent research arm of the Department of Education, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), received notification from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that many of its contracts are to be terminated. This development will end research that helps state and local governments in addition to institutions of education and educators understand a wide variety of education related topics, such as enrollment, achievement, and best instructional practices. The termination of these contracts includes projects that were in progress. Moreover, it is unclear what this development could mean for the ability to access existing research published online should IES research no longer be available.

Grant Opportunities

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

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:

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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