Advocate Online

From Capitol to Campus

Both chambers of Congress have indicated strong commitments to complete the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act before this Congress ends in 2008. The legislation is contributing to a logjam of education bills in need of attention, including the looming reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, so Congress seems prepared to buckle down and clear the slate so they can get to the politically contentious and legislatively complicated ESEA.

The Senate is hoping to move legislation through its Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee this spring, using the bipartisan bill developed in the last Congress under Republican party control. In the political environment of the last Congress, NEA viewed this bill as significantly better than the House bill and the Administration proposals but did object to key provisions of the legislation, some of which may be carried over to the new bill.

Chief among the concerns is the so-called “Student Bill of Rights,” or “Academic Bill of Rights” which NEA views as a threat to free speech on campuses. The Association is working with the American Federation of Teachers and others in the education community to oppose this language.

The House, in contrast to the Senate, is starting from scratch, hoping to have a bill through the Education and Labor Committee this summer and the full House in the fall. Democrats have eagerly cast aside controversial provisions developed by the Republicans in the past, including the Student Bill of Rights language. NEA is hopeful that the House will stand strong on this issue when compromises are sought between the two chambers for a final version of the reauthorization.