House Education Committee Passes Higher-Education Bill

Jonathan Lekstutis

November 16, 2007

After vigorous debate, the U.S House of Representatives education committee voted unanimously to push through an education bill that would set federal higher-education policy over the next five years. The bill, which renews the Higher Education Act, now goes to a floor vote in the House and then to a conference with the Senate. The Senate passed its edition of the legislation in August.

Some of the pieces of the legislation include incentives for colleges and universities to curb the rising cost of education. Another amendment of the bill would give grants to universities that work with local employers to align their programs to meet the needs of companies. This is a trend in higher education as colleges and universities are beginning to design programs that meet the needs of companies.

Another issue that was debated, but did not make it into the bill was a provision that would have allowed the education secretary to punish schools that raised their tuition due to an increase in Pell Grants. This along with an amendment to change the direct-lending program was defeated.