The Administration has announced plans to end student loan debt collections contracts with Windham Professionals and Performant Financial Corp. The Education Department said it plans to develop a different approach to collecting defaulted student federal loans in its dismissal of the debt collections agencies. The Washington Post has more information.
News and updates
House Energy & Water Bill Released
This Week in Congress, May 7-11
Here is a selection of committee meetings taking place on the Hill this week.
U.S. House of Representatives
HOUSE EDUCATION & THE WORKFORCE
Subcommittee Hearing
Opioid Epidemic/Federal Employees’ Compensation Act
May 8, 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn Bldg.
HOUSE ENERGY & COMMERCE
Subcommittee Hearing
Opioid Distribution and Diversion
May 8, 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn Bldg.
HOUSE JUDICIARY
Full Committee Hearing
Opioid Abuse Crisis Challenges/Solutions
May 8, 10 a.m., 2141 Rayburn Bldg.
HOUSE OVERSIGHT & GOVERNMENT REFORM
Full Committee Hearing
Census Progress Report
May 8, 1 p.m., 2154 Rayburn Bldg.
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS
Subcommittee Markup
Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations
May 9, 5 p.m., 2362-B Rayburn Bldg.
HOUSE ARMED SERVICES
Full Committee Markup
National Defense Authorization Act
May 9, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn Bldg.
HOUSE SCIENCE, SPACE & TECHNOLOGY
Full Committee Hearing
Energy Department Budget
May 9, 9 a.m., 2318 Rayburn Bldg.
U.S. Senate
SENATE COMMERCE, SCIENCE & TRANSPORTATION
Subcommittee Hearing
Safe Integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems
May 8, 10 a.m., 253 Russell Bldg.
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS
Subcommittee Hearing
Defense Funding Request/Budget Justification
May 9, 10 a.m., 192 Dirksen Bldg.
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS
Subcommittee Hearing
Commerce Funding Request/Budget Justification
May 10, 10 a.m., 192 Dirksen Bldg.
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS
Subcommittee Hearing
HHS Funding Request/Budget Justification
May 10, 10 a.m., 124 Dirksen Bldg.
Administration “Rescission” Package Expected This Week
The Trump Administration is expected to send to Congress a “rescission” package this week that would seek about $15 billion in cuts to already approved spending in prior years.
Unhappy about the size of the recently passed FY2018 omnibus spending bill, a group of House conservatives had asked the Administration to take steps to cancel or “rescind” parts of the spending package. While there is some receptivity to the proposal in the House, it is a non-starter in the Senate, in which Senators of both parties would oppose such a move.
In an attempt to placate the conservatives, the Administration is expected to send to Congress this week a package of proposed cuts from prior years, totaling approximately $15 billion. In order for the cuts to be adopted, Congress must agreed to them in 45 days. Although the exact contents of the package are currently unknown, it is believed that none of the programs funded by the omnibus bill would be affected.
Regardless of how Congress officially reacts to the the Administration proposal, the funds for the programs listed for rescission by the Administration would be “impounded,” or frozen, for 45 days.
The Office of Federal Relations will provide updates throughout this process.
What We’re Reading, April 23-27
Here is a selection of articles we read this week.
Travel Ban’s Day in Court – The Supreme Court hears arguments Wednesday in a challenge to the Trump administration’s travel ban, the first major high court test of one of President Donald Trump’s signature campaign issues and a key piece of his tough-on-immigration efforts. Read more on Roll Call.
Endowment $$$ – The fight over the Republican tax bill passed last December is far in the rearview of most colleges and student groups. But a group of private colleges still has its sights set on overturning a new endowment tax passed as part of that bill over the objections of higher ed advocates. Read more from Inside Higher Ed.
WA’s $9B Problem – A new study released as a prelude to Sen. Patty Murray’s legislative effort to contain the opioid epidemic estimates the financial impacts of overdose deaths alone have cost Washington state $34 billion over the four years ending in 2016. Read more from Governing.
Peanuts & Crackerjacks – Baseball season is underway and this week, the House Republican baseball team returned to the practice field where one year ago Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) was shot during practice. And off the field, the scene appeared very different than it did before the shooting. At least 20 uniformed Capitol Police officers, a member of the K-9 unit and his German shepherd swept TV and cargo trucks and media bags. Other non-uniformed security kept watch along the outfield fences. Read more from Roll Call.
The Best Weed in America – In his TV appearance on “Real Time with Bill Maher” last Friday, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee joked about the quality of his state’s bud. “I can honestly say we got the best weed in the United States of America,” he joked with the talk show host. “It’s a growing industry, and it’s well-regulated.” Watch the clip on Governing.