On July 22, after three days of consideration, the House Education and the Workforce Committee approved, 27-20, a bill (H.R. 609) to reauthorize the Higher Education Act. The 21st Century Competitiveness Subcommittee approved the measure on July 14 (see The Source, 7/15/05). The Higher Education Act was last reauthorized in 1998.
Stressing the need “to begin restoring fiscal sanity,” Chair John Boehner (R-OH) asserted, “The College Access & Opportunity Act increases benefits to students and increases college access.” He explained: “We do this while eliminating excess subsidies to lenders and curbing programs that don’t serve students or taxpayers well. We’re putting students at the front of the line when it comes to federal higher education programs, and we’re demanding greater efficiency and effectiveness from our investment.”
Ranking Member George Miller (D-CA) argued, “Today’s higher education bill if permitted to become law would force the single largest cut in our nation’s student loan programs in their 40-year history.” Acknowledging that the bill curtails excess subsidies, Rep. Miller stated, “Rather than investing those savings in the student loan system, the bill before us takes those savings right out of the system and instead applies them toward reducing the flood of red ink caused by this fiscally irresponsible Congress and President.” He urged members to support the Democrats’ plan, which he said “boosts the investment in higher education without additional federal spending or pushing higher costs onto students.”
During its consideration, the committee rejected, 21-26, an amendment by Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) that would have barred the Department of Education from enforcing its March 17, 2005, Title IX guidance, which reduced the number of reporting factors colleges must use to prove compliance with the law by allowing schools to use electronic surveys to gauge students’ interest in athletic programs. Rep. Woolsey’s amendment to create a $25 million grant program to encourage minorities and women to obtain doctoral degrees also was rejected, 22-26.
An amendment by Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) that would have required colleges and universities to report crimes committed due to the victim’s race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity or disability was rejected by voice vote. A similar provision was included in the 1998 reauthorization.
The committee also rejected other amendments, including:
