10.03.18

Scott Statement on Education Department Missing Deadline to Finalize Rollback of Consumer Protections

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement in response to reports that the Education Department will miss a deadline to finalize its rollback of rules that protect students from predatory schools. The delay, which is a result of the overwhelming number of public comments submitted in response to the proposals, means the Obama-era protections for students and taxpayers will remain in effect until at least July 1, 2020.

“The reported delay in the Trump administration’s rollback of consumer protections in higher education is a major victory for students and taxpayers. The Obama-era rules targeted by Secretary DeVos help students recover from the lasting effects of attending a fraudulent school and ensure future students and taxpayers are not handing money to predatory institutions.

“The flood of opposition from students, non-profit and public schools, consumer advocates, veteran service organizations, and other public interest groups reflects the danger of the Trump administration’s effort to weaken oversight of for-profit schools. The Education Department should take this opportunity to scrap these proposals and start pursuing an approach to higher education that is in the best interests of students and taxpayers, rather than for-profit education companies.”

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