Press Releases

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation to repeal two excessive federal regulations affecting colleges and universities. The Protecting Academic Freedom in Higher Education Act received bipartisan support in a vote of 303 to 114.

Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), who introduced the Protecting Academic Freedom in Higher Education Act last summer, applauded passage of the legislation.

“As we have seen many times before, onerous federal regulations always come with a price and that price is always paid by taxpayers - in this case, students and parents,” Rep. Foxx said. “It’s time to take a comprehensive view of the problems facing our nation’s higher education system and eliminate burdensome federal regulations that pile unnecessary costs on institutions and students. I’m pleased this legislation received the bipartisan support it deserves, and I urge swift Senate consideration of this important proposal.”

Watch Rep. Foxx’s floor remarks on H.R. 2117 here.

House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman John Kline (R-MN) spoke in support of H.R. 2117 on the House floor, stating, “The legislation before us today is driven by a simple goal: to ensure Washington isn’t adding to the boondoggle of rising college costs by imposing burdensome regulations… Each year, the average higher education institution spends a significant amount of time and money complying with federal regulations and reporting requirements, costs that can trickle down to students’ tuitions and fees… H.R. 2117 will repeal two particularly problematic regulations, protecting academic institutions and prospective students from significant financial and bureaucratic burdens.”

Watch Chairman Kline’s full remarks here.

The Protecting Academic Freedom in Higher Education Act has received support from numerous organizations representing higher education institutions and students, including:

• The American Council on Education, on behalf of 98 private and public organizations
• SUNY Empire State College
• Excelsior College
• National Governors Association
• The RAMC Coalition of Community Colleges
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Western Governors University

To learn more about H.R. 2117, click here.

 

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