This morning the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Labor-HHS advanced its FY 27 Labor-HHS bill in an 11-7 vote along party lines. Bill text is here, along with Republican and Democratic summaries. The Committee press release from yesterday is here and from today is here. A press release from the Committee Democrats from yesterday is here and from today is here. Information on Community Project Funding (earmarks) in the bill is here. Video of the Subcommittee markup may be viewed here. The full Committee markup of the FY 20227 Labor-HHS appropriations bill is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, at 11am Eastern.
House FY 27 Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill Released, Subcommittee Markup Scheduled for Tomorrow
Earlier this morning, the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee released the text of its FY 2027 funding bill, along with Republican and Democratic summaries. The subcommittee markup is scheduled for 8:00am Eastern tomorrow and can be viewed here. A Committee press release is available here. The full Committee markup of the FY 27 Labor-HHS appropriations bill is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, at 11am Eastern in the 2359 Rayburn House Office Building.
The bill is expected to advance in the subcommittee along party lines, with most amendments likely reserved for full committee consideration on June 9th.
Overall, the House bill largely reflects the Administration’s budget proposals from the past two years, which have sought significant reductions in workforce and education programs. According to the Republican summary, the proposal would reduce overall FY 27 funding by approximately 3 percent below FY 26 enacted levels, including a 10 percent reduction to the Department of Education. The Democratic summary characterizes the proposal as a 9 percent overall funding cut, including a 10 percent cut to the Department of Education. The Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) would see a 4 percent cut. The Committee Report, which will provide additional program-level detail, will not be released until after full committee markup.
The bill also includes a $50 increase in the maximum Pell Grant award, raising it to $7,445. Press reports indicate that an additional $15 billion in mandatory funding would be provided to address the Pell Grant funding shortfall, though further details are expected in the Committee Report.
Overall funding for higher education programming is six percent below current levels, with TRIO, GEAR UP, as well as HBCU’s and MSI’s within the Aid for Institutional Development account, receiving small increases.
According to the Democratic Summary, the Committee would provide $7.6 billion for HRSA, a decrease of $440 million below the FY 26 level, excluding earmarks included in the 2026 enacted bill or the 2027 House bill. This recommendation would include $1.4 billion for Health Workforce training, $25 million above the FY 26 level.
Congressional Briefings on Student Loan Access and Strengthening the Health Workforce
On Wednesday, June 3 from noon-1:30pm Eastern, the Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition (HPNEC), of which ASAHP is a member, will host a congressional lunch briefing titled, “Securing the Nation's Health Workforce: The Critical Role of the HRSA Title VII and Title VIII Programs”. The briefing will highlight the importance of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Title VII health professions and Title VIII nursing workforce development programs in addressing health workforce shortages and improving patients' access to care.
On June 8 from 2-3:30pm Eastern, the Advanced Professional Workforce Alliance (APWA), of which ASAHP is a member, and the American Institute of Architects (AIA), will hold a congressional briefing titled, “The RISE and Fall of Graduate Access; Student Loan Limit Implications for Graduate Degree Programs”. The briefing will open with remarks from congressional champions, followed by a cross-disciplinary panel of workforce and student impact testimony. Speakers will address enrollment impacts, increased reliance on private credit markets, effects on low-income and first-generation students, and workforce pathway consequences in affected fields.
Both events are are open to congressional staff.
Negotiated Rulemaking Committee on Accreditation Reaches Consensus
The negotiated rulemaking committee on Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) reached consensus last week on changes to the accreditation system that overhauls the accreditation system by making it easier for new accreditors to gain federal recognition and easier for institutions to change accreditors, streamlining transfer of credit policies, and adding requirements around academic freedom and intellectual diversity. If the Department of Education issues the final rule by November 1 of this year it should be in effect July 1 of 2027. A press release from the Department of Education is available here. Coverage from Inside Higher Ed is available here.
Department of Education Publishes Workforce Pell Grant Final Rule
The Department of Education issued its final rule this week on the new Workforce Pell Grant program, created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The rule was published here in the Federal Register on Tuesday. A press release from the Department of Education is here and a fact sheet is here. A statement from House Education and Workforce Chair Tim Walberg (R-MI) is here and a statement from Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) is here.
States and Organizations Sue Department of Education Over New Graduate Student Loan Cap Rule
Twenty-five states, all with a Democratic governor or attorney general, and Washington, DC sued the Department of Education on Tuesday, May 19 asking a judge to vacate the final rule on new graduate student loan caps limiting student loans for certain professions. The states contend the rule, which is set to take effect July 1, does not follow congressional intent from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Coverage from Inside Higher Ed is here.
On Thursday, May 21, Democracy Forward with several organizations filed a lawsuit to prevent the implementation of the same rule. The complaint is here and a statement from Democracy Forward is here.
Congressional Democrats Pursue Congressional Review Act Repeal of Department of Education Rule on Graduate Federal Loan Programs
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Rep. John Mannion (D-NY), Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) are pursuing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to repeal the Department of Education’s finalized rule on graduate student loan caps. ASAHP has endorsed the resolution, as has the Advanced Professional Workforce Alliance (APWA), of which ASAHP is a member. A press release is available here and text of the CRA is here.
June 4 update: A list of nearly 200 endorsing organizations, including ASAHP, is here.
Department of Education Issues Updated Draft Accreditation Regulations, Negotiated Rulemaking Resumes Next Week
This week the Department of Education issued new draft regulations in advance of the second and final session of the Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) negotiated rulemaking to be held Monday through Friday of next week. The committee will vote on the proposed regulations as part of next week’s session. More details are here and the updated draft regulations are here.
Negotiated Rulemaking Committee on Accreditation Holds First Sesson of Negotiations
The first session of the Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) negotiated rulemaking committee was held this week. The second and final session of negotiations will be held May 18-22 and will include a vote on the proposed regulations. More details are here. A 151-page initial draft of the Department of Education’s proposed regulations is here. A 9-page summary from the Department is here. Coverage from Inside Higher Ed is here, here, and here. Coverage from the Chronicle of Higher Education is here and here. New America held an event last week, “Accreditation 101: A Fireside Chat on How Colleges Are Measured”. It contains discussion of the negotiated rulemaking and is available here.
Department of Education Releases Proposed Rule on Accountability
Today, the Department of Education issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to establish a postsecondary education accountability framework. The new accountability measures stem from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), and negotiators narrowly reached consensus on the package of proposed regulations in January. The proposed rule will officially publish to the Federal Register on Monday, and the NPRM will be open for a 30-day public comment period, with comments due no later than May 20. A press release is here and the NPRM is here.
On Thursday, May 14 at 9:15am Eastern, AEI will host an in-person and online event titled, “Can Accountability Strengthen Higher Education’s Economic Promise?” Participants include Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent and Senior Adviser, Office of the Under Secretary, Jason Delisle, as well as former Biden Administration Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal. More details, including a registration link, are available here.
ASAHP and APWA Submit Testimony to Senate Appropriations Committee’s Labor-HHS Subcommittee
ASAHP joined the Advanced Professional Workforce Alliance (APWA), of which ASAHP is a member, in a submitting written outside witness testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Labor-HHS, urging the Departments of Education and Labor to report on the impacts of federal student loan limits on programs not classified as “professional.” APWA has also submitted suggested report language to Congress.
HPNEC Coalition Releases Statement on the President's Budget Request for FY 27
Today the Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition (HPNEC), of which ASAHP is a member, issued a statement expressing concern with proposed cuts to critical Title VII health professions and Title VIII nursing workforce development programs included in the fiscal year (FY) 2027 President’s Budget Request.
The statement notes that, “The President’s FY 2027 budget released on April 3, 2026, once again recommends a massive $1 billion proposed cut to health workforce programs under the proposed Administration for a Healthy America. Particularly concerning is the proposed elimination of 14 existing Title VII health professions and VIII nursing workforce development programs currently administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). If enacted, these cuts would limit support for essential investments in programs that play an irreplaceable role in shaping, educating, and bolstering the health workforce at all stages of the continuum. As communities face shortages of health professionals, these devastating cuts would result in a significant and detrimental impact on the health of communities across the country and limit access to care for patients nationwide.”
HPNEC urges Congress to reject any funding cuts to the HRSA Title VII and VIII programs proposed in the President’s FY 27 budget request and to bolster support for programs that address health workforce shortages in critical areas of need and ensure access to care across the nation.
The statement is available here.
Senate Labor-HHS Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on the President's FY 27 Budget Request for HHS
On Tuesday, April 21 at 2:30pm Eastern, the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Labor-HHS will hold a hearing on the President’s FY 27 budget request for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will testify. The hearing may be viewed here.
Sec. Kennedy will testify at seven hearings over the course of a week, including the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommitee on Labor-HHS on April 16 here, the House Ways & Means Committee on April 16 here, and the House Education and Workforce on April 17 here.
U.S. Department of Education Proposed Accreditation Overhaul
The U.S. Department of Education released draft regulations Monday aimed at reshaping the college accreditation system and addressing college affordability. The proposals reflect priorities set by an executive order by President Trump and would simplify the process for new accreditors through the U.S Department of Education, institutions to switch accreditors, and accreditation requirements to not include diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Under the draft rules, colleges must be accredited by a federally recognized agency for students to remain eligible for federal financial aid. The proposal will also shorten the timelines for new accrediting agencies and weaken bureaucratic demands on member colleges. Accreditors would face new responsibilities, such as measures to ensure compliance with state and federal law, with specific emphasis toward intellectual diversity and ideological neutrality under the First Amendment. Such measures may conflict with the Higher Education Act, which limits the Department's authority over private accrediting organizations.
The new proposals are expected to draw opposition from institutions and accreditors across the political spectrum. One proposal setting requirements for colleges to presume general-education credit transferability may draw special criticism for weakening institutional autonomy. The negotiated rulemaking Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization Committee (AIM) will meet to discuss the draft regulations for next week on April 13-17 and May 18–22. A summary the draft regulations can be found here.
Read more on this on Chronicle of Higher Education and Inside Higher Ed.
President's FY 27 Budget Request Released
Today, the White House released the President’s FY 2027 budget request, outlining priorities for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026. The proposal calls for a $73 billion (10%) reduction in domestic discretionary spending, while significantly increasing defense funding.
Under the request, defense spending would rise by 42% to roughly $1.5 trillion, including a roughly $250 billion increase to Department of Defense appropriations over the FY 26 enacted level paired with $350 billion expected to be advanced through a forthcoming reconciliation package from congressional Republicans.
The President’s budget proposal calls for a $15.8 billion (12.5 percent) cut to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a 4 percent cut to the Department of Education (ED), and a 26 percent cut to the Department of Labor (DOL).
The President’s budget proposal calls for significant cuts to health workforce programs. A funding chart of HRSA Title VII and VIII health workforce programs comparing the President’s FY 27 budget request to the FY 26 enacted level was composed by the Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition (HPNEC) and is available here.
ASAHP Submits Comments to the Dept of Ed on Higher Education Student Loan Caps
In response to the Department of Education’s (ED) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) which would reduce student loan opportunities for allied health professions education as well as nursing and public health programs, the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) submitted comments to ED urging the Department to classify allied health programs as qualifying professional degree programs eligible for the higher student loan cap.
Department of Education Issues Interpretive Rule on Accreditation
Health Care Groups Form Coalition to Fight Loan Caps
Inside Higher Ed covered the work of a newly formed coalition, of which ASAHP is a member, which is spearheading advocacy in response to proposed Department of Education rulemaking on Higher Education Act provisions stemming from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including the new student loan caps which would exclude most allied health graduate and doctoral programs from higher student loan caps.
The article by Inside Higher Ed may be accessed here.
House Education & Workforce Committee Hearing on "Runaway College Spending Meets the Working Families Tax Cuts"
The House Education and Workforce Committee held a Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development hearing titled “Runaway College Spending Meets the Working Families Tax Cuts,” to examine the rising costs of higher education and potential strategies to increase access for working families.
ACE to Host Capitol Hill Briefing on Professional Degree Students and Their Lack of Access to Federal Student Aid
On Tuesday, February 10, at 3pm Eastern, the American Council on Education (ACE), of which ASAHP is a member, will host a Capitol Hill briefing for congressional staff and interested parties titled, “Professional Degree Students and Their Lack of Access to Federal Student Aid”. Jessica Blake of Inside Higher Ed will moderate a panel featuring Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and others.
More details are here. ACE put out a two-page document here with background and talking points on the issue.