Member Advisory

August 8, 2013

Government Relations Update

A number of bills with provisions for funding for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) await further action when Congress returns from the August recess:

NASA Reauthorization - HACU Government Relations staff worked closely with the House and Senate Committee staff on the NASA reauthorization bill to include significant language on Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). The NASA authorization bill differs from other bills in that it includes very broad recommendations on what the agency can do with the money it receives. Since it does contain not specific program language, it is difficult to get targeted funding include in the bill. While the original draft did not include a directive for MSIs, HACU worked with the committee to insert the following language under the education grants section:

“continue to collaborate with minority institutions to increase student participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; …”

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee passed the version of the bill with this language.

The House version of the bill passed the House Science and Technology Committee on July 18. HACU staff worked with Congresswoman Federica Wilson on a similar amendment, but the amendment was withdrawn during the markup. The MSI language is expected be added to a manager’s amendment before it reaches the floor: having the language in the Senate bill puts us in a good position to get it approved.

Workforce Investment Act Reauthorization (WIA) - The Senate HELP Committee approved their version of the Workforce Investment Act July 31, 2013.  The approved version has positive sections regarding adult literacy programs, coordination among key partners such as adult education and community colleges, and results measurements by whether workers are gaining industry-recognized postsecondary credentials. The bill also strengthens the new Title III Adult Education and Literacy section by (1) including technological literacy in the definition of workforce preparation, and (2) integrating English literacy and civics education through the alignment of adult education and WIA workforce training programs and services.

Because of general resistance to creating any new targeted funding, the Senate HELP Committee did not adopt language that would provide targeted funding for HSIs (or MSIs).

The House version of the bill, the SKILLS Act, consolidated a series of programs into one and passed with a vote along party lines.

Higher Education Act (HEA) Reauthorization - HACU submitted its policy priorities to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce for the HEA reauthorization June 7. The complete policy document can be found by clicking here: 

Farm Bill - On July 11 the House passed a revised version of the Farm Bill, HR 2642, that does not include the SNAP program.  It is likely the Senate and the President will not move this version forward without the nutrition programs. The 2008 Hispanic-Serving Agricultural College and University (HSACU) provisions were included in the House bill as well as new provisions HACU worked on, including a competitive grants program for Hispanic agriculture workers and youth. HACU continues to press the Senate to include these new provisions as well.

Immigration - The Senate version of Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) passed June 27 by 68-32, with a “border surge” deal garnering some Republican support for the bill. The Senate bill includes a version of the DREAM Act much less restrictive than other recent versions and also allows agricultural workers and individuals who received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to be grandfathered into registered provisional immigration (RPI) status. House members have indicated they will work on piecemeal legislation rather than one large bill this fall.

Appropriations - House and Senate Appropriations committees have been considering their versions of the FY 2014 appropriations bills. The Capitol Forum in April provided a voice for HSIs through representatives who visited with elected officials regarding appropriations. However, a significant setback arose when the National Science Foundation (NSF) pressed the House appropriations committee to include language that would keep the NSF from ever funding a program for HSIs. HACU is encouraging HSI presidents and chancellors to contact their members of Congress to oppose this language.

The House Report Language reads:

The Committee has previously asked NSF to consider the concept of creating a program within EHR to focus on Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs.) Having heard from NSF about the logistical difficulties of establishing and managing such a program, the Committee now directs NSF to report instead on existing and planned efforts to meet the specific needs of HSIs through NSF’s other programs. This report, which shall also include recommendations for further action, shall be submitted no later than 120 days after the enactment of this Act.

The Senate Report Language continues the requests from previous years:

In broadening participation, NSF shall expand efforts to increase the recruitment, retention, and graduation rates of Hispanic students pursuing associate or baccalaureate degrees in STEM fields and consider a program for Hispanic-Serving Institutions similar to other broadening participation programs.

Below is a summary of the status of some key HSI programs.

Labor HHS, Education

Senate:            Title V Part A: $100.2 M

Title V Part B: $8.992 M (discretionary) + $11.5 M mandatory

                        Pell Grants: $5785 ($140 increase)

Agriculture

HSI Education Grants:  Senate and House both at $9.2 M

HSACU Endowment Fund: Senate $10 M, House $0

(HACU staff is working with House offices to include the HSACU request in the final bill.)