2024: Fitzpatrick Voted To Require A Report On Institutes Of Higher
Education That Have A Relationship With A Confucius Institute And
Receive Homeland Security Funding. In September 2024, Fitzpatrick
voted for , according to Congressional Quarterly, "amendment no. 4 that
would require the secretary of Homeland Security to submit to the
congressional homeland security committees a report containing
information on higher education institutions with a relationship to a
Confucius Institute or Chinese entity of concern and receive DHS
funding." The vote was on the amendment. The underlying legislation
placed funding restrictions on institutes of higher education with
relationships with a Confucius Institute. The House adopted the
amendment by a vote of 253 to 151. [House Vote 406,
9/10/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/10/24;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1516]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted To Amend Eligibility For Pell Grants. In
February 2024, Fitzpatrick voted for , according to Congressional
Quarterly, "the bill that would extend stopgap funding through March 8,
2024, for the Agriculture, Energy-Water, Military Construction-VA and
Transportation-HUD spending bills; and would extend funding through
March 22, 2024, for the Commerce-Justice-Science, Defense, Financial
Services, Homeland Security, Interior-Environment, Labor-HHS-Education,
Legislative Branch and State-Foreign Operations spending bills. It also
would establish a temporary negative $1,500 student income contribution
floor for calculating Pell Grants for award year 2024-2025. It would set
the income contribution floor at zero for award year 2025-2026 and each
award year thereafter. It also would increase funding provided to carry
out the Pell Grant program from the current level of $1.2 billion in
fiscal 2024 to $3.2 billion for fiscal 2025, $2.2 billion for fiscal
2026 and $1.2 billion for fiscal 2027 and each succeeding fiscal year."
The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 320 to
99. [House Vote 58,
2/29/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 2/29/24;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
7463]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted For The DETERRENT Act And To Establish Foreign
Funding Disclosure Requirements. In December 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for "the bill, as amended,
that would establish financial disclosure requirements for colleges and
universities that receive funds from foreign sources, including gifts
from or contracts with foreign governments, companies and individuals
valued at $50,000 or more, instead of the current $250,000 threshold.
Among other provisions, the bill would generally prohibit colleges and
universities from entering into contracts with foreign countries of
concern or foreign entities of concern. It would require institutions to
disclose any gifts they receive from such countries or entities, private
institutions to disclose whether their endowments are invested in assets
issued by foreign countries or entities of concern, and it would
establish numerous penalties for institutions that violate the bill's
requirements." The vote was on passage. The bill was passed by a vote of
246 to 170, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 701,
12/6/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/6/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
5933]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Adding Reporting Requirements For
Greater Gifts. In December 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted against "amendment no. 8 that would replace the
bill's provisions with language to require additional reporting
requirements for gifts or contract over $100,000 from a foreign source
and $250,000 over a three-year period." The vote was on the amendment.
The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 202 to 213. [House Vote
700, 12/6/23;
Congressional Quarterly,
12/6/23; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
5933]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Reducing The Minimum Requirement For
Gift Reporting To $1. In December 2023, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against "amendment no. 6 that would reduce
from $50,000 to $1 the minimum amount for reporting gifts from a
foreign source." The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the
amendment by a vote of 94 to 320. [House Vote 699,
12/6/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/6/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
5933]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Require Foreign Entities Funding Higher
Education To Disclose Ties To Terrorist Organizations. In December
2023, Fitzpatrick voted for "amendment no. 5 that would require foreign
entities that provide funding to institutions of higher education to
disclose any ties to designated foreign terrorist organizations." The
vote was on the amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of
372 to 39. [House Vote 698,
12/6/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/6/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
5933]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The DETERRENT Act. In
December 2023, Fitzpatrick voted for the "adoption of the rule (H Res
906) that would provide for floor consideration of the [...] DETERRENT
Act [...] The rule would provide for up to one hour of debate on each
bill. It would make in order eight amendments to HR 5933." The vote was
on adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 213 to
201. [House Vote 693,
12/5/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/5/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
906;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
5933]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The DETERRENT Act. In
December 2023, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion to order the previous
question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule
(H Res 906) that would provide for floor consideration of the [...]
DETERRENT Act [...] The rule would provide for up to one hour of
debate on each bill. It would make in order eight amendments to HR
5933." The vote was on the previous question. The House agreed to the
motion by a vote of 209 to 200. [House Vote 692,
12/5/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/5/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
906;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
5933]
2025: Fitzpatrick Voted To Establish New Guidelines For Foreign Gift
Reporting That Would Lower The Threshold For Reporting From $250,000 To
$50,000, Prohibit Contracts With Foreign Countries Of Concern And
Require Disclosure Of Any Gift From A Foreign Country Of Concern
Regardless Of Dollar Amount. In March 2025, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "the bill, as amended, that would amend the Higher Education
Act to establish new disclosure requirements for colleges, universities
and other institutions of higher education that receive funds from
certain foreign sources --- including gifts from, or contracts with,
foreign governments, companies and individuals valued at $50,000 or
more (down from the current $250,000 threshold). It would generally
prohibit institutions of higher education from entering into contracts
with foreign countries of concern or foreign entities of concern. It
would require institutions to disclose any gifts they receive from such
countries or entities. It also would require private institutions to
disclose whether their endowments are invested in assets issued by
foreign countries or entities of concern, and it would establish new
penalties for institutions that violate the bill's requirements. It
also would require the Education Department to establish an online
searchable database where the required disclosure reports would be
available to the public." The vote was on the amendment. The underlying
legislation was the DETERRENT Act. The House rejected the amendment by a
vote of 92 to 321. [House Vote 83,
3/27/25; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/27/25;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1048]
2025: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Requiring The Reporting Of All Foreign
Gifts, Regardless Of Dollar Amount. In March 2025, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "amendment no. 4 that would lower the dollar
threshold at which colleges, universities and other institutions of
higher education would need to disclose gifts or contracts from certain
foreign countries or companies from $50,000 to $1." The vote was on
the amendment. The underlying legislation was the DETERRENT Act. The
House rejected the amendment by a vote of 92 to 321. [House Vote 80,
3/27/25; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/27/25;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
13;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1048]
2025: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Increasing The Threshold For The
Requirement To Disclose Foreign Gifts From $50,000 To $100,000
Annually Or $250,000 Over Three Years. In March 2025, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "amendment no. 3 that would strike the text of
the bill and insert substitute language that would increase the dollar
threshold (from $50,000 or more for an individual gift to $100,000 or
more for an individual gift or cumulative gifts from the same source in
a year or $250,000 or more over three years) at which institutions
would need to disclose foreign gifts or contracts; require institutions
to maintain copies of gift or contract agreements for at least four
years after the agreement; adjust fees for noncompliance; regulate who
could serve as a point of contact at the Education Department for
institutions working to comply with the bill and who could access data
disclosed under the bill; make certain exclusions from the definition of
a contract; and require the Education Department to begin rulemaking to
implement the bill's disclosure requirements." The vote was on the
amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 199 to 214.
[House Vote 79, 3/27/25;
Congressional Quarterly,
3/27/25; Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.
12;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1048]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment To The FY 2020 NDAA That
Sought To Combat Predatory Practices Of For-Profit Institutions Of
Higher Education. In July 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for an amendment
that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "require the
Department of Defense to make publicly available on its website a list
of higher education institutions that receive funding through the
department's tuition assistance program and how much each institution
receives. It would also require the Department to audit institutions for
their continued eligibility in the program." The vote was on adoption.
The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 251-178. [House Vote 444,
7/11/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/11/19;
Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.515;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.2500]
Third Way: "The Federal Government Has An Important Role To Play
In Holding Colleges And Universities Accountable." According to
Third Way, "The federal government has an important role to play in
holding colleges and universities accountable through prioritizing
transparency, distinguishing bad actors from good actors, ensuring a
return on investment for the American taxpayer, and protecting our
military community's hard-earned benefits [...] That's why
Congress should include the Shalala amendment on DOD Tuition
Assistance (TA) funds in the final NDAA conference bill." [Third
Way,
7/24/19]
The Amendment Combatted Loopholes In The 90-10 Rule And The Lack
Of Easily Accessible Information. According to Third Way, "Despite
recent efforts, many active duty servicemembers continue to be
targeted by for-profit institutions aided by loopholes in the 90-10
rule, the lack of easily accessible information, and aggressive
recruiting tactics. Many servicemembers have already been seriously
harmed by predatory practices and institutions closing
unexpectedly." [Third Way,
7/24/19]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment To The FY 2020 Minibus That
Provided $10 Million For Education Department Programs Related To
Higher Education. In June 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for an amendment
that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "increase then
decrease by $10 million funding for Education Department programs
related to higher education." The vote was on adoption of the amendment.
The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 312-109. [House Vote 261,
6/12/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/12/19;
Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.281]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment To The FY 2020 Minibus That
Provided $10 Million For Education Department Programs Related To
Higher Education. In June 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for an amendment
that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "increase then
decrease by $10 million funding for Education Department programs
related to higher education." The vote was on adoption of the amendment.
The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 312-109. [House Vote 261,
6/12/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/12/19;
Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.281;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2740]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Condemn Violence Against Historically Black
Colleges And Universities, Including Bomb Threats Made Against Several
HBCUs In January And February 2022. In March 2022, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for a resolution that would
"state that the House of Representatives condemns violence and threats
of violence against historically Black colleges and universities,
including the bomb threats made against several HBCUs in January and
February 2022. It would also reaffirm the federal government's
commitment to combat violence against HBCU students, faculty and staff."
The vote was on passage. The House passed the resolution by a vote of
418-0. [House Vote 61,
3/8/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/8/22;
Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res.
70]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted For The HBCU PARTNERS Act, Which Strengthened
The Capacity Of HBCUs To Participate In Federal Programs. In December
2020, Fitzpatrick voted for the HBCU PARTNERS Act which would, according
to Congressional Quarterly, "require each federal agency to develop an
annual plan to facilitate participation of historically Black colleges
or universities in agency programs. Among other provisions, it would
require the plan to include an identification of programs and
initiatives where HBCUs are underrepresented and an outline of proposed
efforts to improve participation, including by increasing HBCU
competitiveness for grants and contracts. It would also establish a
board of advisors tasked with advising the president on all matters
pertaining to strengthening the educational capacity of HBCUs, including
by improving their visibility, fiscal security and overall
competitiveness." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by
a vote of 388-6 and sent to the President and ultimately became law.
[House Vote 237,
12/7/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/7/20;
Congressional Actions, S.
461]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For Permanently Funding Historically Black
Colleges And Universities (HBCUs). In December 2019, Fitzpatrick voted
for a bill that would, according to Congressional Quarterly,
"indefinitely extend funding, at the current funding level of $225
million annually, for Education Department grants to support
historically black colleges and universities and other minority serving
institutions. It would increase annual funding levels for Pell grants,
authorizing $1.5 billion for fiscal 2020 and $1.2 billion annually for
fiscal 2021 and succeeding fiscal years. The bill would also require the
Education Department to establish procedures to use certain tax return
information obtained directly from the Internal Revenue Service in
determining students' eligibility for federal financial aid and
income-based student loan repayment plans, as opposed to requiring
students to submit such information. It would require the IRS to
disclose such information to the Education Department, upon request by
the department and with the consent of the student." The vote was on a
motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill. The House passed the bill
by a vote of 319-96. The bill was later passed by the Senate and signed
by the President to become law. [House Vote 659,
12/10/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/10/19;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.5363]
Funding For HBCUs Expired In September. According to NBC News,
"It will save a source of funding that expired at the end of
September and now make it permanent, bringing relief to scores of
schools that were bracing for the possibility of deep budget cuts."
[NBC News,
12/11/19]
The Bill Got Rid Of The "Verification Nightmare" Ensuring That
Students Provide The Exact Same Information To The Department Of
Education And The IRS. According to The Hill, "It will also
simplify the FAFSA application by removing 22 questions and get rid
of the 'bureaucratic verification nightmare for most students,'
according to a release. The 'verification nightmare' refers to when
students have to verify that they provide the exact same information
to the Department of Education and the IRS." [The Hill,
12/5/19]
Some House Republicans Opposed The Bill Citing Concerns Over
Taxpayer Privacy. According to Politico, "Ninety-three GOP
lawmakers joined with Democrats in supporting the bill in the
House. But the changes still didn't go far enough to win over some
House Republicans, especially Freedom Caucus members, who said the
data-sharing could jeopardize taxpayer privacy. Texas Rep. Kevin
Brady, the top Republican on the Ways and Means Committee, said he
supported the HBCU funding but objected to the 'dangerous precedent
set by the tax provision included in this bill.'" [Politico,
12/11/19]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Disapprove The Rule That Created The SAVE
Student Loan Repayment Plan. In December 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for "the joint resolution
that would provide for congressional disapproval of a July 2023
Education Department rule that would create a new income driven
repayment plan known as the Saving on A Valuable Education plan for new
and existing student loan borrowers, which would operate as a
replacement for the Revised Pay-As-You-Earn plan. The rule would take
effect on July 1, 2024. However, in the wake of a Supreme Court decision
the Education Department implemented the program in August 2023. Under
the provisions of the joint resolution, the Education Department rule
would have no force or effect." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 210 to 189. [House Vote 705,
12/7/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/7/23;
Congressional Actions, H.J. Res.
88]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted To Disapprove A Student Loan
Repayment Rule. In December 2023, Fitzpatrick voted for the "adoption
of the rule (H Res 906) that would provide for floor consideration of
the [...] joint resolution (H J Res 88) that would provide for
congressional disapproval of a Education Department rule related to
student loans. The rule would provide for up to one hour of debate on
each bill." The vote was on adoption of the rule. The House adopted the
rule by a vote of 213 to 201. [House Vote 693, 12/5/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/5/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
906;
Congressional Actions, H.J. Res.
88]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted To Disapprove A Student Loan
Repayment Rule. In December 2023, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion to
order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of
amendment) on the rule (H Res 906) that would provide for floor
consideration of the [...] joint resolution (H J Res 88) that would
provide for congressional disapproval of a Education Department rule
related to student loans. The rule would provide for up to one hour of
debate on each bill." The vote was on the previous question. The House
agreed to the motion by a vote of 209 to 200. [House Vote 692,
12/5/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/5/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
906;
Congressional Actions, H.J. Res.
88]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted To Require Colleges To Provide Students With
Information On The Rights And Resources For Pregnant Students, Excluding
Information On Abortion And Contraception. In January 2024, according
to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for "passage of the bill
that would that would require each higher education institution
participating in a federal education program to inform prospective and
enrolled students about rights and resources for pregnant students and
those who could become pregnant while enrolled at such an institution to
carry a baby to term. It would specify that such information would
include a list of relevant campus and community resources and how to
file a complaint with the Education Department if a student believes
there has been a Title IX violation due to the student's pregnancy. It
would state that scientific evidence and personal testimonies show that
women who have abortions can be at risk of mental health issues. It
would specify that nothing in the bill could be construed to authorize
the DOE to require disseminating additional information or establishing
additional rights beyond the specified information and rights." The vote
was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 212 to 207.
[House Vote 19, 1/18/24;
Congressional Quarterly,
1/18/24; Congressional Actions,
H.R.
6914]
2024: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted To Require Colleges To Provide
Students With Information On The Rights And Resources For Pregnant
Students, Excluding Information On Abortion And Contraception. In
January 2024, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
against the "motion to recommit the bill to the House Education and the
Workforce Committee." The vote was on the motion to recommit. The House
rejected the motion by a vote of 207 to 213. [House Vote 18,
1/18/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/18/24;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
6914]
2024: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted To Require Colleges To Provide
Students With Information On The Rights And Resources For Pregnant
Students, Excluding Information On Abortion And Contraception. In
January 2024, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
for the "adoption of the rule (H Res 969) that would provide for floor
consideration of [...] the Pregnant Students Rights Act (HR 6914)
[...] The rule would provide for up to one hour of debate on [the]
bill and consider as adopted one amendment to HR 6914." The vote was on
adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 198 to
194. [House Vote 11,
1/17/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/17/24;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
969;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
6914]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted To Prohibit Consideration Of Diversity, Equity
And Inclusion Factors In Admissions Processes And To Require Student
Religious Organizations To Be Granted The Same Rights As Other
Organizations. In September 2024, Fitzpatrick voted for , according to
Congressional Quarterly, "the bill, as amended, that would clarify the
requirements public colleges and universities must meet to ensure
freedom of speech and association on campuses. The bill would require
colleges and universities to provide student religious organizations the
same rights given to other student organizations. It also would
stipulate that no student admissions or faculty hiring decisions could
be made with consideration of political positions or diversity or equity
and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. It would make public universities
ineligible for federal student aid programs if they do not meet these
requirements. Schools could be taken to court for not meeting these
standards. The bill also would prohibit college accreditation agencies
from requiring colleges and universities to support or oppose a
political position or ideological belief to receive accreditation.
Agencies could not deny a school accreditation based on the school's
religious affiliation. These measures generally would apply only to
public colleges and universities, with a few exceptions for private
institutions." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a
vote of 213 to 201. [House Vote 433,
9/19/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/19/24;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3724]