NACUBO On Your Side: December 13–19, 2022
12/19/2022
As things move quickly in Washington, DC, NACUBO is your constant advocate in action. NACUBO On Your Side covers important legislative and agency activity NACUBO staff are tracking, what we’re currently advocating for, and how you can take action with us.
Here are the issues we are tracking and advocating for this week.
On the Hill
Congress Passes Short-Term Funding Measure, Continues to Debate Omnibus Appropriations
Last week, lawmakers passed a continuing resolution to fund the government until December 23, avoiding a government shutdown and providing additional time for appropriators to negotiate a package to fund the government through the remainder of FY23. While details on an omnibus package—which would provide year-long funding across the federal government—remain unavailable, lawmakers have reported that they are nearing an agreement. NACUBO and others in the higher education community have encouraged lawmakers to use the FY23 appropriations package to double the maximum Pell Grant award and increase funding for programs that support students.
Judicial Action
Supreme Court Will Hear Arguments on Student Debt Forgiveness in February
The U.S. Supreme Court has announced that it will hear arguments on two cases challenging the Biden administration’s proposal to forgive $10,000 of student loan debt for individuals or $20,000 for those who received a Pell Grant. The court has announced that it will hear arguments on both cases on Tuesday, February 28.
Advocacy
Associations Comment on Proposed VA 85-15 Regulations
NACUBO and several other higher education associations sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs on December 12 commenting on proposed regulations published in the Federal Register. The proposed regulations clarify the VA’s reporting requirements for its 85-15 rule, which measures how many students enrolled in programs at colleges and universities can be “supported” by receiving payments from the VA or having tuition, fees, or other charges paid by the institution.
Higher Education Community Lauds Research Funding Provisions in NDAA
NACUBO joined 17 other higher education associations in a letter to Senate leadership supporting the sections of the FY23 James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that strategically grow the research capability and STEM workforce at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Minority Serving Institutions. After the legislation cleared the House earlier this month, it was approved by the Senate late last week. President Joe Biden is expected to sign it into law soon.
Take Action
GASB Extends Pension Survey Deadline
The deadline for a Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) post-implementation review survey designed to assess the effectiveness, compliance difficulty, cost, and benefit of its pension standards has been extended from December 19, 2022, to January 20, 2023. GASB’s decision was influenced by stakeholder concerns over timing. The survey is expected to take one to two hours to complete. Survey questions can be addressed to GASB staff.
