Overview
CSPEN has been informed that sometime the early part of next week, likely on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, the House Committee on Education & the Workforce intends to request floor consideration of the first in a series of bills reported out of Committee throughout the moths of December 2023 and January 2024.

The bill they will be putting forth is H.R. 6585 – The Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act – legislation intended to “prepare Americans for the 21st century economy by aligning education opportunities with workforce needs.”

Given the bipartisan nature of the bill, which was voted favorably out of Committee Dec. 12, 2023 by a vote of 37-8; Committee Chair Dr. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and likely Ranking Member Robert “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) will request that the House take up consideration of H.R. 6585 under suspension of the rules – a procedure generally used to quickly pass non-controversial bills in which debate is limited to 40 minutes, no amendments can be offered to the motion or underlying bill, and a 2/3 majority of the Members of Congress present and voting is required for the legislation to pass.

Call to Action
Over the weekend and the early part of next week (Monday and Tuesday), CSPEN urges you to consider reaching out to your elected officials in the U.S. House of Representatives and request that they vote in favor of passage of  H.R. 6585 – The Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act.

CSPEN has provided talking points in favor of the bill, and opposition to amendments and other introduced and supported legislation which excludes private, for-profit institutions of higher education from being eligible to participate in the new Workforce Pell Grant program.  IF you would like copies of those talking points, reach out to Tom at either Tom@centralstatesedu.com or tom@tengovtstrategies.com for more information.  Additional resources include Fact Sheet and UPDATED Bill text.

New Survey Data Supports House Bill AND the INCLUSION OF PRIVATE, FOR-PROFIT EDUCATION
If you didn’t already see it, last week the National Institute for Civil Discourse’s released polling data that you should include in your outreach.  Survey data found 88% of Americans, both Republican and Democrat, support Congress enacting Workforce Pell. And 65% of survey respondents oppose excluding for-profit institutions if there are administrative criteria and outcomes metrics in place, like the requirements in H.R. 6585, Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act. Chairwoman Foxx and Ranking Member Scott’s press release on the new survey data is below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Press Office February 15, 2024(202) 226-9440 
Foxx, Scott on New Data Showing Americans Overwhelmingly Support Workforce Pell WASHINGTON – Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) celebrated the National Institute for Civil Discourse’s (NICD) latest polling results that show overwhelming support among Americans for Workforce Pell.  

“The recent survey data provided by the NICD is welcome news and shows the environment is ripe for transformative changes to skills-based learning. With 10 million unfilled jobs, employers across all industries are eager to find qualified workers. Job creators find that skills-based credentials can effectively prepare workers. But many of these short-term programs are out of reach for low-income students,” said Chairwoman Foxx. “While the Pell Grant has opened college doors to low-income students, current law does not allow low-income students to use their aid for short-term education programs that match the needs of the economy. That’s why I joined my colleagues in introducing the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act. Specifically, it allows Pell Grants to support students enrolled in high-quality, short-term education programs that will lead to career advancement. With 88 percent of Americans supporting Workforce Pell overall, it remains clear that Congress must advance the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act.”

“The new polling data from the National Institute for Civil Discourse shows that Americans, no matter their political affiliation, overwhelmingly support expanding the Pell Grant to high-quality, short-term training programs,” said Ranking Member Scott. “The Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act will help students afford short-term training programs, workers find in-demand and good-paying jobs, and employers fill job openings with quality candidates. I look forward to bringing this policy to the House floor and eventually to the President’s desk.”

MORE FROM NICD: 79 percent of survey respondents believe the kind of career-connected learning that would be supported through Workforce Pell gets too little support relative to college; 87 percent of survey respondents believe performance outcomes are an appropriate measure of short-term program quality – 64 percent support earnings requirements;71 percent of survey respondents think there should be no more than five administrative criteria to determine the effectiveness of a short-term program;65 percent of survey respondents oppose excluding for-profit institutions if there are administrative criteria and outcomes metrics in place, like the requirements in the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act; and64 percent of survey respondents oppose excluding online education programs.

BACKGROUND:
In December, the Committee passed H.R. 6585, the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act, which:Helps low-income students participate in short-term programs to move into a job quickly. Creates a quality assurance system for Workforce Pell Grant programs—allowing any institution of higher education to participate as long as they meet all the requirements. Guarantees that program prices are aligned with economic value, so students and taxpayers receive a positive return on investment. Ensures programs provide students with relevant education and competencies necessary for employment in in-demand industries. Outlines a process for recognized accreditors to oversee Workforce Pell programs at the institutions they accredit and supports the on-ramp of new expert accreditors to oversee Workforce Pell programs, minimizing the time it will take to implement Workforce Pell fully.

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS IMMEDIATELY AND ASK THEM TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF PASSAGE OF H.R. 6585 – The Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act!