05.21.26

House Democrats Urge ED to Protect Student Borrowers from Fraudulent, Predatory Programs

WASHINGTON – House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development Ranking Member Alma S. Adams (NC-12), along with their colleagues, called on the Department of Education (ED) to hold colleges and universities more accountable for their students' success. In a letter to Secretary Linda McMahon, Members pushed back on a proposed rule that would change how schools report whether their graduates are actually finding good-paying jobs. The Members argued this new proposed rule does not go far enough to protect students from programs that leave them with debt and few career prospects.

The Members argued that the proposed rule would allow more predatory for-profit colleges to slip through the cracks and evade accountability. Additionally, by eliminating the debt-to-earnings test, the proposed rule will make it more difficult for students to evaluate their future finances and avoid unmanageable debt.

“While we support aspects of the proposed rule, the Department must do more to protect students from low-quality programs and show the public it has the capacity to successfully oversee these sweeping changes to higher education consumer protections,” wrote the Members. “The federal government has a responsibility to hold institutions accountable for providing a high-quality, affordable education without leaving students saddled with debt or unable to earn a living wage.”

The Members also highlighted that due to the Trump Administration’s illegal dismantling of ED, it will be increasingly more difficult to implement consumer protection rules. Specifically, after mass-layoffs and the interagency agreements, ED will lack the staffing to properly enforce the rule and protect students and borrowers from waste, fraud, and abuse.

The Members urged ED to uphold and strengthen current consumer protections, increase transparency for higher education programs, and prioritize safeguarding students and borrowers from taking on crushing student loan debt.

The letter is signed by Representatives Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Alma S. Adams (NC-12), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Mark Takano (CA-39), Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), and Jennifer L. McClellan (VA-04).

To read the full letter, click here.

###

Press Contact

Democratic Press Office, 202-226-0853