S.Amdt. 2369Senate110th Congress (2007-2009)
To certify that taxpayers' dollars and students' tuition support educational rather than lobbying activities.
Sponsored by 
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK)
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK)Submitted July 23, 2007
Legislative Activity
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Senate amendment agreed to: Amendment SA 2369 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
July 24, 2007
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Senate amendment agreed to: Amendment SA 2369 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
July 24, 2007
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Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S9797, S9811)
July 24, 2007
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Amendment SA 2369 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
July 24, 2007
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Senate amendment submitted
July 23, 2007
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Senate amendment proposed (on the floor): Amendment SA 2369 proposed by Senator Coburn.(consideration: CR S9752-9756; text: CR S9752)
July 23, 2007
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Amendment SA 2369 proposed by Senator Coburn. (consideration: CR S9752-9756; text: CR S9752) To certify that taxpayers' dollars and students' tuition support educational rather than lobbying activities.
July 23, 2007
Amendments
1 amendmentOffered to this amendment
Amendments
1 amendmentOffered to this amendment
Text
Submitted
TEXT OF AMENDMENTS
SA 2365. Mr. BAYH submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by
him to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under
the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; which was
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
On page 895, between lines 9 and 10, insert the following:
PART H--FEDERAL DIRECT LOANS
SEC. 498. NO ACCRUAL OF INTEREST FOR ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE
MEMBERS AND THEIR SPOUSES.
Section 455 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1087e) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(m) No Accrual of Interest for Active Duty Service
Members and Their Spouses.--
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
this part, and except as provided in paragraph (3), interest
on a loan made under this part shall not accrue for an
eligible borrower.
``(2) Eligible borrower.--In this subsection, the term
`eligible borrower' means an individual--
``(A) who is--
``(i) serving on active duty during a war or other military
operation or national emergency; or
``(ii) performing qualifying National Guard duty during a
war or other military operation or national emergency; or
``(B) who is the spouse of an individual described in
subparagraph (A).
``(3) Limitation.--An individual who qualifies as an
eligible borrower under this subsection may receive the
benefit of this subsection for not more than 60 months.''.
[[Page S9783]]
______
SA 2366. Mr. DORGAN proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1642, to
extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of
1965, and for other purposes; as follows:
At the end of title VIII, add the following:
SEC. 802. STUDENT LOAN CLEARINGHOUSE.
(a) Development.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall
establish 1 or more clearinghouses of information on student
loans (including loans under parts B and D of title IV of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq. and
1087a et seq.) and private loans, for both undergraduate and
graduate students) for use by prospective borrowers or any
person desiring information regarding available interest
rates and other terms from lenders. Such a clearinghouse
shall--
(1) have no affiliation with any institution of higher
education or any lender;
(2) accept nothing of value from any lender, guaranty
agency, or any entity affiliated with a lender or guaranty
agency, except that the clearinghouse may establish a flat
fee to be charged to each listed lender, based on the costs
necessary to establish and maintain the clearinghouse;
(3) provide information regarding the interest rates, fees,
borrower benefits, and any other matter that the Department
of Education determines relevant to enable prospective
borrowers to select a lender;
(4) provide interest rate information that complies with
the Federal Trade Commission guidelines for consumer credit
term disclosures; and
(5) be a nonprofit entity.
(b) Publication of List.--The Secretary of Education shall
publish a list of clearinghouses described in subsection (a)
on the website of the Department of Education and such list
shall be updated not less often than every 90 days.
(c) Disclosure.--Beginning on the date the first
clearinghouse described in subsection (a) is established,
each institution of higher education that receives Federal
assistance under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001 et seq.) and that designates 1 or more lenders as
preferred, suggested, or otherwise recommended shall include
a standard disclosure developed by the Secretary of Education
on all materials that reference such lenders to inform
students that the students might find a more attractive loan,
with a lower interest rate, by visiting a clearinghouse
described in subsection (a).
(d) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall submit a report to Congress on whether students
are using a clearinghouse described in subsection (a) to find
and secure a student loan. The report shall assess whether
students could have received a more attractive loan, one with
a lower interest rate or better benefits, by using a
clearinghouse described in subsection (a) instead of a
preferred lender list.
______
SA 2367. Mr. DeMINT proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1642, to
extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of
1965, and for other purposes; as follows:
At the end of title I, add the following:
SEC. 114. EMPLOYMENT OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION GRADUATES.
(a) Study, Assessments, and Recommendations.--The
Comptroller General of the United States shall--
(1) conduct a study of--
(A) the information that States currently have on the
employment of students who have completed postsecondary
education programs;
(B) the feasibility of collecting information on students
who complete all types of postsecondary education programs
(including 2- and 4-year degree, certificate, and
professional and graduate programs) at all types of
institutions (including public, private nonprofit, and for-
profit schools), regarding--
(i) employment, including--
(I) the type of job obtained not later than 6 months after
the completion of the degree, certificate, or program;
(II) whether such job was related to the course of study;
(III) the starting salary for such job; and
(IV) the student's satisfaction with the student's
preparation for such job and guidance provided with respect
to securing the job; and
(ii) for recipients of Federal student aid, the type of
assistance received, so that the information can be used to
evaluate various education programs;
(C) the evaluation systems used by other industries to
identify successful programs and challenges, set priorities,
monitor performance, and make improvements;
(D) the best means of collecting information from or
regarding recent postsecondary graduates, including--
(i) whether a national website would be the most effective
way to collect information;
(ii) whether postsecondary graduates could be encouraged to
submit voluntary information by allowing a graduate to access
aggregated information about other graduates (such as
graduates from the graduate's school, with the graduate's
degree, or in the graduate's area) if the graduate completes
an online questionnaire;
(iii) whether employers could be encouraged to submit
information by allowing an employer to access aggregated
information about graduates (such as institutions of higher
education attended, degrees, or starting pay) if the employer
completes an online questionnaire to evaluate the employer's
satisfaction with the graduates the employer hires; and
(iv) whether postsecondary institutions that receive
Federal funds or whose students have received Federal student
financial aid could be required to submit aggregated
information about the graduates of the institutions; and
(E) the best means of displaying employment information;
and
(2) provide assessments and recommendations regarding--
(A) whether successful State cooperative relationships
between higher education system offices and State agencies
responsible for employment statistics can be encouraged and
replicated in other States;
(B) whether there is value in collecting additional
information from or about the employment experience of
individuals who have recently completed a postsecondary
educational program;
(C) what are the most promising ways of obtaining and
displaying or disseminating such information;
(D) if a website is used for such information, whether the
website should be run by a governmental agency or contracted
out to an independent education or employment organization;
(E) whether a voluntary information system would work, both
from the graduates' and employers' perspectives;
(F) the value of such information to future students,
institutions, accrediting agencies or associations,
policymakers, and employers, including how the information
would be used and the practical applications of the
information;
(G) whether the request for such information is duplicative
of information that is already being collected; and
(H) whether the National Postsecondary Student Aid Survey
conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics
could be amended to collect such information.
(b) Reports.--
(1) Preliminary report.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall
submit to Congress a preliminary report regarding the study,
assessments, and recommendations described in subsection (a).
(2) Final report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit
to Congress a final report regarding such study, assessments,
and recommendations.
______
SA 2368. Mr. KENNEDY (for Mrs. Boxer (for herself, Mr. Levin and Mr.
Nelson of Florida)) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1642, to
extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of
1965, and for other purposes; as follows:
In section 403(c) of the Higher Education Amendments of
2007, add at the end the following:
(7) by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Additional Funds.--
``(1) Authorization.--There are authorized to be
appropriated for the upward bound program under this chapter,
in addition to any amounts appropriated under section
402A(g), $57,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008
through 2011 for the Secretary to carry out paragraph (2),
except that any amounts that remain unexpended for such
purpose for each of such fiscal years may be available for
technical assistance and administration costs for the upward
bound program under this chapter.
``(2) Use of funds.--
``(A) In general.--The amounts made available by paragraph
(1) for a fiscal year shall be available to provide
assistance to applicants for an upward bound project under
this chapter for such fiscal year that--
``(i) did not apply for assistance, or applied but did not
receive assistance, under this section in fiscal year 2007;
and
``(ii) receive a grant score above 70 on the applicant's
application.
``(B) 4-year grants.--The assistance described in
subparagraph (A) shall be made available in the form of 4-
year grants.''.
______
SA 2369. Mr. COBURN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by
him to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under
the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; as follows:
At the end of title I of the bill, insert the following:
SEC. 114. DEMONSTRATION AND CERTIFICATION REGARDING THE
ABSENCE OF PAYMENTS FOR INFLUENCE.
Each institution of higher education or other postsecondary
educational institution receiving Federal funding, as a
condition for receiving such funding, shall annually
demonstrate and certify to the Secretary of Education that no
student tuition amounts or funds from a Federal contract,
grant, loan, or cooperative agreement received by the
institution were used to hire a registered lobbyist or to pay
any person or entity for influencing or attempting to
influence an officer or employee of any agency of the Federal
Government, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of
Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in
connection with any Federal action.
[[Page S9784]]
______
SA 2370. Mr. SESSIONS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed
by him to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs
under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; which
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end of title I, add the following:
SEC. 114. FOREIGN MEDICAL SCHOOLS.
(a) Percentage Pass Rate.--
(1) In general.--Section 102(a)(2)(A)(i)(I)(bb) (20 U.S.C.
1002(a)(2)(A)(i)(I)(bb)) is amended by striking ``60'' and
inserting ``75''.
(2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1)
shall take effect on July 1, 2010.
(b) Study.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall--
(A) complete a study that shall examine American students
receiving Federal financial aid to attend graduate medical
schools located outside of the United States; and
(B) submit to Congress a report setting forth the
conclusions of the study.
(2) Contents.--The study conducted under this subsection
shall include the following:
(A) The amount of Federal student financial aid dollars
that are being spent on graduate medical schools located
outside of the United States every year, and the percentage
of overall student aid such amount represents.
(B) The percentage of students of such medical schools who
pass the examinations administered by the Educational
Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates the first time.
(C) The percentage of students of such medical schools who
pass the examinations administered by the Educational
Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates after taking such
examinations multiple times, disaggregated by how many times
the students had to take the examinations to pass.
(D) The percentage of recent graduates of such medical
schools practicing medicine in the United States, and a
description of where the students are practicing and what
types of medicine the students are practicing.
(E) Recommendations regarding the percentage passing rate
of the examinations administered by the Educational
Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates that the United
States should require of graduate medical schools located
outside of the United States for Federal financial aid
purposes.
______
SA 2371. Mr. WARNER (for himself, Mr. Kerry, and Mr. Webb) proposed
an amendment to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of
programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other
purposes; as follows:
At the end of title VIII of the bill, insert the following:
SEC. 802. MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS FOR ADVANCED
TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION.
At the end of title VIII (as added by section 801), add the
following:
``PART N--MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND
EDUCATION
``SEC. 876. PURPOSES.
``The purposes of the program under this part are to--
``(1) strengthen the ability of eligible institutions to
provide capacity for instruction in digital and wireless
network technologies; and
``(2) strengthen the national digital and wireless
infrastructure by increasing national investment in
telecommunications and technology infrastructure at eligible
institutions.
``SEC. 877. DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION.
``In this part, the term `eligible institution' means an
institution that is--
``(1) a historically Black college or university that is a
part B institution, as defined in section 322;
``(2) a Hispanic-serving institution, as defined in section
502(a);
``(3) a Tribal College or University, as defined in section
316(b);
``(4) an Alaska Native-serving institution, as defined in
section 317(b);
``(5) a Native Hawaiian-serving institution, as defined in
section 317(b); or
``(6) an institution determined by the Secretary to have
enrolled a substantial number of minority, low-income
students during the previous academic year who received a
Federal Pell Grant for that year.
``SEC. 878. MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS FOR ADVANCED
TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION.
``(a) Grants Authorized.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to award
grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible institutions to
enable the eligible institutions to carry out the activities
described in subsection (d).
``(2) Grant period.--The Secretary may award a grant to an
eligible institution under this part for a period of not more
than 5 years.
``(b) Application and Review Procedure.--
``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this part, an eligible institution shall submit an
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner,
and containing such information as the Secretary may
reasonably require. The application shall include--
``(A) a program of activities for carrying out 1 or more of
the purposes described in section 876; and
``(B) such other policies, procedures, and assurances as
the Secretary may require by regulation.
``(2) Regulations.--After consultation with appropriate
individuals with expertise in technology and education, the
Secretary shall establish a procedure by which to accept and
review such applications and publish an announcement of such
procedure, including a statement regarding the availability
of funds, in the Federal Register.
``(3) Application review criteria.--The application review
criteria used by the Secretary for grants under this part
shall include consideration of--
``(A) demonstrated need for assistance under this part; and
``(B) diversity among the types of eligible institutions
receiving assistance under this part.
``(c) Matching Requirement.--
``(1) In general.--An eligible institution that receives a
grant under this part shall agree that, with respect to the
costs to be incurred by the institution in carrying out the
program for which the grant is awarded, such institution will
make available (directly or through donations from public or
private entities) non-Federal contributions in an amount
equal to 25 percent of the amount of the grant awarded by the
Secretary, or $500,000, whichever is the lesser amount.
``(2) Waiver.--The Secretary shall waive the matching
requirement for any eligible institution with no endowment,
or an endowment that has a current dollar value as of the
time of the application of less than $50,000,000.
``(d) Uses of Funds.--An eligible institution shall use a
grant awarded under this part--
``(1) to acquire equipment, instrumentation, networking
capability, hardware and software, digital network
technology, wireless technology, and infrastructure;
``(2) to develop and provide educational services,
including faculty development, related to science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics;
``(3) to provide teacher preparation and professional
development, library and media specialist training, and early
childhood educator and teacher aide certification or
licensure to individuals who seek to acquire or enhance
technology skills in order to use technology in the classroom
or instructional process to improve student achievement;
``(4) to form consortia or collaborative projects with a
State, State educational agency, local educational agency,
community-based organization, national nonprofit
organization, or business, including a minority business, to
provide education regarding technology in the classroom;
``(5) to provide professional development in science,
technology, engineering, or mathematics to administrators and
faculty of eligible institutions with institutional
responsibility for technology education;
``(6) to provide capacity-building technical assistance to
eligible institutions through remote technical support,
technical assistance workshops, distance learning, new
technologies, and other technological applications; and
``(7) to foster the use of information communications
technology to increase scientific, technological,
engineering, and mathematical instruction and research.
``(e) Data Collection.--An eligible institution that
receives a grant under this part shall provide the Secretary
with any relevant institutional statistical or demographic
data requested by the Secretary.
``(f) Information Dissemination.--The Secretary shall
convene an annual meeting of eligible institutions receiving
grants under this part for the purposes of--
``(1) fostering collaboration and capacity-building
activities among eligible institutions; and
``(2) disseminating information and ideas generated by such
meetings.
``(g) Limitation.--An eligible institution that receives a
grant under this part that exceeds $2,500,000 shall not be
eligible to receive another grant under this part until every
other eligible institution that has applied for a grant under
this part has received such a grant.
``SEC. 879. ANNUAL REPORT AND EVALUATION.
``(a) Annual Report Required From Recipients.--Each
eligible institution that receives a grant under this part
shall provide an annual report to the Secretary on the
eligible institution's use of the grant.
``(b) Evaluation by Secretary.--The Secretary shall--
``(1) review the reports provided under subsection (a) each
year; and
``(2) evaluate the program authorized under this part on
the basis of those reports every 2 years.
``(c) Contents of Evaluation.--The Secretary, in the
evaluation under subsection (b), shall--
``(1) describe the activities undertaken by the eligible
institutions that receive grants under this part; and
``(2) assess the short-range and long-range impact of
activities carried out under the grant on the students,
faculty, and staff of the institutions.
[[Page S9785]]
``(d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 3 years after the
date of enactment of the Higher Education Amendments of 2007,
the Secretary shall submit a report on the program supported
under this part to the authorizing committees that shall
include such recommendations, including recommendations
concerning the continuing need for Federal support of the
program, as may be appropriate.
``SEC. 880. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
part such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008 and
each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.''.
______
SA 2372. Mr. AKAKA proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1642, to
extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of
1965, and for other purposes; as follows:
At the end of section 403, add the following:
(i) Additional Amendment to Postbaccalaureate Achievement
Program.--Section 402E(d)(2) (as redesignated by subsection
(e)(2)) (20 U.S.C. 1070a-15(d)(2)) is further amended by
inserting ``, including Native Hawaiians, as defined in
section 7207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965, and Pacific Islanders'' after ``graduate education''.
______
SA 2373. Mr. ENZI (for Mr. Burr) proposed an amendment to the bill S.
1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher
Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; as follows:
Strike lines 14 through 23 on page 814 and insert the
following:
``(1) Formation of study group.--Not later than 90 days
after the date of enactment of the Higher Education
Amendments of 2007, the Comptroller General of the United
States and the Secretary of Education shall convene a study
group whose membership shall include the Secretary of the
Treasury, the Director of the Office of Management and
Budget, the Director of the Congressional Budget Office,
representatives of institutions of higher education with
expertise in Federal and State financial aid assistance,
State chief executive officers of higher education with a
demonstrated commitment to simplifying the FAFSA, and such
other individuals as the Comptroller General and the
Secretary of Education may designate.
Strike line 22 on page 821 and all that follows through
line 2 on page 822 and insert the following:
``(7) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of the Higher Education Amendments of 2007, the
Comptroller General and the Secretary shall prepare and
submit a report on the results of the study required under
this subsection to the authorizing committees.''.
______
SA 2374. Mr. SESSIONS proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1642, to
extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of
1965, and for other purposes; as follows:
At the end of title I, add the following:
SEC. 114. FOREIGN MEDICAL SCHOOLS.
(a) Percentage Pass Rate.--
(1) In general.--Section 102(a)(2)(A)(i)(I)(bb) (20 U.S.C.
1002(a)(2)(A)(i)(I)(bb)) is amended by striking ``60'' and
inserting ``75''.
(2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1)
shall take effect on July 1, 2010.
(b) Study.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall--
(A) complete a study that shall examine American students
receiving Federal financial aid to attend graduate medical
schools located outside of the United States; and
(B) submit to Congress a report setting forth the
conclusions of the study.
(2) Contents.--The study conducted under this subsection
shall include the following:
(A) The amount of Federal student financial aid dollars
that are being spent on graduate medical schools located
outside of the United States every year, and the percentage
of overall student aid such amount represents.
(B) The percentage of students of such medical schools who
pass the examinations administered by the Educational
Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates the first time.
(C) The percentage of students of such medical schools who
pass the examinations administered by the Educational
Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates after taking such
examinations multiple times, disaggregated by how many times
the students had to take the examinations to pass.
(D) The percentage of recent graduates of such medical
schools practicing medicine in the United States, and a
description of where the students are practicing and what
types of medicine the students are practicing.
(E) The rate of graduates of such medical schools who lose
malpractice lawsuits or have the graduates' medical licenses
revoked, as compared to graduates of graduate medical schools
located in the United States.
(F) Recommendations regarding the percentage passing rate
of the examinations administered by the Educational
Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates that the United
States should require of graduate medical schools located
outside of the United States for Federal financial aid
purposes.
______
SA 2375. Mr. ENZI (for Mr. Burr) proposed an amendment to the bill S.
1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher
Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; as follows:
After section 205 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as
amended by section 201 of the Higher Education Amendments of
2007), insert the following:
``SEC. 205A. TEACHER DEVELOPMENT.
``(a) Annual Goals.--As a condition of receiving assistance
under title IV, each institution of higher education that
conducts a traditional teacher preparation program or
alternative routes to State certification or licensure
program and that enrolls students receiving Federal
assistance under this Act shall set annual quantifiable goals
for--
``(1) increasing the number of prospective teachers trained
in teacher shortage areas designated by the Secretary,
including mathematics, science, special education, and
instruction of limited English proficient students; and
``(2) more closely linking the training provided by the
institution with the needs of schools and the instructional
decisions new teachers face in the classroom.
``(b) Assurance.--As a condition of receiving assistance
under title IV, each institution described in subsection (a)
shall provide an assurance to the Secretary that--
``(1) training provided to prospective teachers responds to
the identified needs of the local educational agencies or
States where the institution's graduates are likely to teach,
based on past hiring and recruitment trends;
``(2) prospective special education teachers receive
coursework in core academic subjects and receive training in
providing instruction in core academic subjects;
``(3) regular education teachers receive training in
providing instruction to diverse populations, including
children with disabilities, limited English proficient
students, and children from low-income families; and
``(4) prospective teachers receive training on how to
effectively teach in urban and rural schools.
``(c) Public Reporting.--As part of the annual report card
required under section 205(a)(1), an institution of higher
education described in subsection (a) shall publicly report
whether the goals established under such subsection have been
met.
______
SA 2376. Mr. BROWN proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1642, to
extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of
1965, and for other purposes; as follows:
At the end of title IV of the bill, add the following:
PART H--FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL LOAN PROGRAM
SEC. 499. FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL LOAN PROGRAM.
Title IV (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) is further amended by
adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 499B. FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL LOAN PROGRAM.
``(a) Program Authorized.--The Secretary shall carry out a
Federal Supplemental Loan Program in accordance with this
section.
``(b) Eligible Individuals.--An individual shall be
eligible to receive a loan under this section if such
individual attends an institution of higher education on a
full-time basis as an undergraduate or graduate student.
``(c) Fixed Interest Rate Loans and Variable Interest Rate
Loans.--
``(1) In general.--Beginning with academic year 2008-2009,
the Secretary shall make fixed interest rate loans and
variable interest rate loans to eligible individuals under
this section to enable such individuals to pursue their
courses of study at institutions of higher education on a
full-time basis.
``(2) Fixed interest rate loans.--With respect to a fixed
interest rate loan made under this section, the applicable
rate of interest on the principal balance of the loan shall
be set by the Secretary at the lowest rate for the borrower
that will result in no net cost to the Federal Government
over the life of the loan.
``(3) Variable interest rate loans.--With respect to a
variable interest rate loan made under this section, the
applicable rate of interest shall, during any 12-month period
beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30, be determined on
the preceding June 1 and be equal to--
``(A) the bond equivalent rate of 91-day Treasury bills
auctioned at the final auction held prior to such June 1;
plus
``(B) a margin determined on an annual basis by the
Secretary to result in the lowest rate for the borrower that
will result in no net cost to the Federal Government over the
life of the loan.
``(d) Maximum Loan Amount.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall make a loan under
this section in any amount up to the maximum amount described
in paragraph (2).
``(2) Maximum amount.--For an eligible individual, the
maximum amount shall be calculated by subtracting from the
estimated cost of attendance for such individual to attend
the institution of higher education, any
[[Page S9786]]
amount of financial aid awarded to the eligible individual
and any loan amount for which the individual is eligible, but
does not receive such amount, pursuant to the subsidized loan
program established under section 428 and the unsubsidized
loan program established under section 428H. For the purposes
of this section, an institution of higher education may
reduce its cost of attendance.
``(e) Cosigners.--The Secretary shall offer to eligible
individuals both fixed interest rate loans and variable
interest rate loans under this section with the option of
having a cosigner or not having a cosigner.
``(f) Repayment.--The Secretary shall offer a borrower of a
loan made under this section the same repayment plans the
Secretary offers under section 455(d) for Federal Direct
Loans.
``(g) Consolidation.--A borrower of a loan made under this
section may consolidate such loan with Federal Direct Loans
made under part D.
``(h) Disclosures and Cooling Off Period.--
``(1) Disclosures.--The Secretary shall provide disclosures
to each borrower of a loan made under this section that are
not less than as protective as the disclosures required under
the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), including
providing a description of the terms, fees, and annual
percentage rate with respect to the loan before signing the
promissory note.
``(2) Cooling off period.--With respect to loans made under
this section, the Secretary shall provide a cooling off
period for the borrower of not less than 10 business days
during which an individual may rescind consent to borrow
funds pursuant to this section.
``(i) Discretion to Alter.--The Secretary may design or
alter the loan program under this section with features
similar to those offered by private lenders as part of loans
financing postsecondary education.''.
______
SA 2377. Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Levin, Ms. Cantwell, Mrs.
Boxer, and Mrs. Clinton) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1642, to
extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of
1965, and for other purposes; as follows:
At the end of title IX, add the following:
PART E--OMNIBUS CRIME CONTROL AND SAFE STREETS ACT OF 1968
SEC. 951. SHORT TITLE.
This part may be cited as the ``John R. Justice Prosecutors
and Defenders Incentive Act of 2007''.
SEC. 952. LOAN REPAYMENT FOR PROSECUTORS AND DEFENDERS.
Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act
of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3711 et seq.) is amended by inserting
after part II (42 U.S.C. 3797cc et seq.) the following:
``PART JJ--LOAN REPAYMENT FOR PROSECUTORS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS
``SEC. 3001. GRANT AUTHORIZATION.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to encourage
qualified individuals to enter and continue employment as
prosecutors and public defenders.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Prosecutor.--The term `prosecutor' means a full-time
employee of a State or local agency who--
``(A) is continually licensed to practice law; and
``(B) prosecutes criminal or juvenile delinquency cases at
the State or local level (including supervision, education,
or training of other persons prosecuting such cases).
``(2) Public defender.--The term `public defender' means an
attorney who--
``(A) is continually licensed to practice law; and
``(B) is--
``(i) a full-time employee of a State or local agency who
provides legal representation to indigent persons in criminal
or juvenile delinquency cases (including supervision,
education, or training of other persons providing such
representation);
``(ii) a full-time employee of a nonprofit organization
operating under a contract with a State or unit of local
government, who devotes substantially all of his or her full-
time employment to providing legal representation to indigent
persons in criminal or juvenile delinquency cases, (including
supervision, education, or training of other persons
providing such representation); or
``(iii) employed as a full-time Federal defender attorney
in a defender organization established pursuant to subsection
(g) of section 3006A of title 18, United States Code, that
provides legal representation to indigent persons in criminal
or juvenile delinquency cases.
``(3) Student loan.--The term `student loan' means--
``(A) a loan made, insured, or guaranteed under part B of
title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1071
et seq.);
``(B) a loan made under part D or E of title IV of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq. and
1087aa et seq.); and
``(C) a loan made under section 428C or 455(g) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078-3 and 1087e(g))
to the extent that such loan was used to repay a Federal
Direct Stafford Loan, a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford
Loan, or a loan made under section 428 or 428H of such Act.
``(c) Program Authorized.--The Attorney General shall
establish a program by which the Department of Justice shall
assume the obligation to repay a student loan, by direct
payments on behalf of a borrower to the holder of such loan,
in accordance with subsection (d), for any borrower who--
``(1) is employed as a prosecutor or public defender; and
``(2) is not in default on a loan for which the borrower
seeks forgiveness.
``(d) Terms of Agreement.--
``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive repayment
benefits under subsection (c), a borrower shall enter into a
written agreement that specifies that--
``(A) the borrower will remain employed as a prosecutor or
public defender for a required period of service of not less
than 3 years, unless involuntarily separated from that
employment;
``(B) if the borrower is involuntarily separated from
employment on account of misconduct, or voluntarily separates
from employment, before the end of the period specified in
the agreement, the borrower will repay the Attorney General
the amount of any benefits received by such employee under
this section;
``(C) if the borrower is required to repay an amount to the
Attorney General under subparagraph (B) and fails to repay
such amount, a sum equal to that amount shall be recoverable
by the Federal Government from the employee (or such
employee's estate, if applicable) by such methods as are
provided by law for the recovery of amounts owed to the
Federal Government;
``(D) the Attorney General may waive, in whole or in part,
a right of recovery under this subsection if it is shown that
recovery would be against equity and good conscience or
against the public interest; and
``(E) the Attorney General shall make student loan payments
under this section for the period of the agreement, subject
to the availability of appropriations.
``(2) Repayments.--
``(A) In general.--Any amount repaid by, or recovered from,
an individual or the estate of an individual under this
subsection shall be credited to the appropriation account
from which the amount involved was originally paid.
``(B) Merger.--Any amount credited under subparagraph (A)
shall be merged with other sums in such account and shall be
available for the same purposes and period, and subject to
the same limitations, if any, as the sums with which the
amount was merged.
``(3) Limitations.--
``(A) Student loan payment amount.--Student loan repayments
made by the Attorney General under this section shall be made
subject to such terms, limitations, or conditions as may be
mutually agreed upon by the borrower and the Attorney General
in an agreement under paragraph (1), except that the amount
paid by the Attorney General under this section shall not
exceed--
``(i) $10,000 for any borrower in any calendar year; or
``(ii) an aggregate total of $60,000 in the case of any
borrower.
``(B) Beginning of payments.--Nothing in this section shall
authorize the Attorney General to pay any amount to reimburse
a borrower for any repayments made by such borrower prior to
the date on which the Attorney General entered into an
agreement with the borrower under this subsection.
``(e) Additional Agreements.--
``(1) In general.--On completion of the required period of
service under an agreement under subsection (d), the borrower
and the Attorney General may, subject to paragraph (2), enter
into an additional agreement in accordance with subsection
(d).
``(2) Term.--An agreement entered into under paragraph (1)
may require the borrower to remain employed as a prosecutor
or public defender for less than 3 years.
``(f) Award Basis; Priority.--
``(1) Award basis.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Attorney
General shall provide repayment benefits under this section--
``(A) giving priority to borrowers who have the least
ability to repay their loans, except that the Attorney
General shall determine a fair allocation of repayment
benefits among prosecutors and public defenders, and among
employing entities nationwide; and
``(B) subject to the availability of appropriations.
``(2) Priority.--The Attorney General shall give priority
in providing repayment benefits under this section in any
fiscal year to a borrower who--
``(A) received repayment benefits under this section during
the preceding fiscal year; and
``(B) has completed less than 3 years of the first required
period of service specified for the borrower in an agreement
entered into under subsection (d).
``(g) Regulations.--The Attorney General is authorized to
issue such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the
provisions of this section.
``(h) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Government Accountability
Office shall study and report to Congress on the impact of
law school accreditation requirements and other factors on
law school costs and access, including the impact of such
requirements on racial and ethnic minorities.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$25,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and such sums as may be
necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.''.
______
SA 2378. Mr. COLEMAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed
by him to the bill S. 1642, to extend the
[[Page S9787]]
authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
On page 678, strike line 23 and all that follows through
page 679, line 2, and insert the following:
(III) in clause (i)--
(aa) in subclause (I), by striking ``or'' after the
semicolon;
(bb) by striking subclause (II) and inserting the
following:
``(II) a critical foreign language; or
``(III) science, technology, engineering, or mathematics
education, if such major requires students to take the same
science, technology, engineering, or mathematics courses,
respectively, as students majoring in science, technology,
engineering, or mathematics, respectively; and''; and
______
SA 2379. Mr. THUNE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by
him to the bill H.R. 1585, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2008 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end of subtitle B of title VIII, add the following:
SEC. 827. MULTIYEAR PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE DEPARTMENT
OF DEFENSE FOR THE PURCHASE OF SYNTHETIC FUELS.
(a) Multiyear Procurement Authorized.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 141of title 10, United States
Code, as amended by section 826cc of this Act, is further
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 2410r Multiyear procurement authority: purchase of
synthetic fuels
``(a) Multiyear Contracts Authorized.--Subject to
subsections (b) and (c), the head of an agency may enter into
contracts for a period not to exceed 10 years for the
purchase of synthetic fuels.
``(b) Limitations on Contracts for Periods in Excess of
Five Years.--The head of an agency may exercise the authority
in subsection (a) to enter a contract for a period in excess
of five years only if the head of the agency determines, on
the basis of a business case prepared by the agency, that--
``(1) the proposed purchase of fuels under such contract is
cost effective for the agency; and
``(2) it would not be possible to purchase fuels from the
source in an economical manner without the use of a contract
for a period in excess of five years.
``(c) Limitation on Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions.--
The head of an agency may not purchase synthetic fuels under
the authority in subsection (a) unless the lifecycle
greenhouse gas emissions from such fuels are not greater than
the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from conventional
petroleum-based fuels that are used in the same application.
``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `head of an agency' has the meaning given
that term in section 2302(1) of this title.
``(2) The term `synthetic fuel' means any liquid, gas, or
combination thereof that--
``(A) can be used as a substitute for petroleum or natural
gas (or any derivative thereof, including chemical
feedstocks); and
``(B) is produced by chemical or physical transformation of
domestic sources of energy.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 141 of such title, as so amended, is
further amended by adding at the end the following new item:
``2410r. Multiyear procurement authority: purchase of synthetic
fuels.''.
(b) Regulations.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall
prescribe regulations requiring the head of an agency
initiating a multiyear contract as authorized by section
2410r of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection
(a)), to find that--
(A) there is a reasonable expectation that throughout the
contemplated contract period the head of the agency will
request funding for the contract at the level required to
avoid contract cancellation;
(B) there is a stable design for all related technologies
to the purchase of synthetic fuels as so authorized; and
(C) the technical risks associated with such technologies
are not excessive.
(2) Minimum anticipated savings.--The regulations required
by paragraph (1) shall provide that, in any case in which the
estimated total expenditure under a multiyear contract (or
several multiyear contracts with the same prime contractor)
under section 2410r of title 10, United States Code (as so
added), are anticipated to be more than (or, in the case of
several contracts, the aggregate of which is anticipated to
be more than) $540,000,000 (in fiscal year 1990 constant
dollars), the head of an agency may initiate such contract
under such section only upon a finding that use of such
contract will result in savings exceeding 10 percent of the
total anticipated costs of procuring the synthetic fuel
concerned through annual contracts. If such estimated savings
will exceed 5 percent of the total anticipated costs of
procuring the synthetic fuel concerned through annual
contracts, but not exceed 10 percent of such costs, the head
of the agency may initiate such contract under such section
only upon a finding in writing that an exceptionally strong
case has been made with regard to findings required in
paragraph (1).
(3) Limitation on use of authority.--No contract may be
entered into under the authority in section 2410r of title
10, United States Code (as so added), until the regulations
required by paragraph (1) are prescribed.
______
SA 2380. Mr. HARKIN proposed an amendment to amendment SA 2377
proposed by Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Levin, Ms. Cantwell, Mrs.
Boxer, and Mrs. Clinton) to the bill S. 1642, to extend the
authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and
for other purposes; as follows:
In part B of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended
by the Higher Education Amendments of 2007, insert after
section 428K the following:
``SEC. 428L. LOAN REPAYMENT FOR CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE
ATTORNEYS.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to encourage
qualified individuals to enter and continue employment as
civil legal assistance attorneys.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Civil legal assistance attorney.--The term `civil
legal assistance attorney' means an attorney who--
``(A) is a full-time employee of a nonprofit organization
that provides legal assistance with respect to civil matters
to low-income individuals without a fee;
``(B) as such employee, provides civil legal assistance as
described in subparagraph (A) on a full-time basis; and
``(C) is continually licensed to practice law.
``(2) Student loan.--The term `student loan' means--
``(A) subject to subparagraph (B), a loan made, insured, or
guaranteed under part B, D, or E of this title; and
``(B) a loan made under section 428C or 455(g), to the
extent that such loan was used to repay--
``(i) a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, a Federal Direct
Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, or a Federal Direct PLUS Loan;
``(ii) a loan made under section 428, 428B, or 428H; or
``(iii) a loan made under part E.
``(c) Program Authorized.--The Secretary shall carry out a
program of assuming the obligation to repay a student loan,
by direct payments on behalf of a borrower to the holder of
such loan, in accordance with subsection (d), for any
borrower who--
``(1) is employed as a civil legal assistance attorney; and
``(2) is not in default on a loan for which the borrower
seeks repayment.
``(d) Terms of Agreement.--
``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive repayment
benefits under subsection (c), a borrower shall enter into a
written agreement with the Secretary that specifies that--
``(A) the borrower will remain employed as a civil legal
assistance attorney for a required period of service of not
less than 3 years, unless involuntarily separated from that
employment;
``(B) if the borrower is involuntarily separated from
employment on account of misconduct, or voluntarily separates
from employment, before the end of the period specified in
the agreement, the borrower will repay the Secretary the
amount of any benefits received by such employee under this
agreement;
``(C) if the borrower is required to repay an amount to the
Secretary under subparagraph (B) and fails to repay such
amount, a sum equal to that amount shall be recoverable by
the Federal Government from the employee by such methods as
are provided by law for the recovery of amounts owed to the
Federal Government;
``(D) the Secretary may waive, in whole or in part, a right
of recovery under this subsection if it is shown that
recovery would be against equity and good conscience or
against the public interest; and
``(E) the Secretary shall make student loan payments under
this section for the period of the agreement, subject to the
availability of appropriations.
``(2) Repayments.--
``(A) In general.--Any amount repaid by, or recovered from,
an individual under this subsection shall be credited to the
appropriation account from which the amount involved was
originally paid.
``(B) Merger.--Any amount credited under subparagraph (A)
shall be merged with other sums in such account and shall be
available for the same purposes and period, and subject to
the same limitations, if any, as the sums with which the
amount was merged.
``(3) Limitations.--
``(A) Student loan payment amount.--Student loan repayments
made by the Secretary under this section shall be made
subject to such terms, limitations, or conditions as may be
mutually agreed upon by the borrower and the Secretary in an
agreement under paragraph (1), except that the amount paid by
the Secretary under this section shall not exceed--
``(i) $6,000 for any borrower in any calendar year; or
``(ii) an aggregate total of $40,000 in the case of any
borrower.
[[Page S9788]]
``(B) Beginning of payments.--Nothing in this section shall
authorize the Secretary to pay any amount to reimburse a
borrower for any repayments made by such borrower prior to
the date on which the Secretary entered into an agreement
with the borrower under this subsection.
``(e) Additional Agreements.--
``(1) In general.--On completion of the required period of
service under an agreement under subsection (d), the borrower
and the Secretary may, subject to paragraph (2), enter into
an additional agreement in accordance with subsection (d).
``(2) Term.--An agreement entered into under paragraph (1)
may require the borrower to remain employed as a civil legal
assistance attorney for less than 3 years.
``(f) Award Basis; Priority.--
``(1) Award basis.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary
shall provide repayment benefits under this section on a
first-come, first-served basis, and subject to the
availability of appropriations.
``(2) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority in
providing repayment benefits under this section in any fiscal
year to a borrower who--
``(A) has practiced law for 5 years or less and, for at
least 90 percent of the time in such practice, has served as
a civil legal assistance attorney;
``(B) received repayment benefits under this section during
the preceding fiscal year; and
``(C) has completed less than 3 years of the first required
period of service specified for the borrower in an agreement
entered into under subsection (d).
``(g) Regulations.--The Secretary is authorized to issue
such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the
provisions of this section.
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and such sums as may be
necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.''.
______
SA 2381. Mr. KENNEDY proposed an amendment to amendment SA 2369
submitted by Mr. Coburn to the bill S. 1642, to extend the
authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and
for other purposes; as follows:
Strike all after the first word and insert the following:
114. RESTRICTION ON USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS
(1) No federal funds received by an institution of higher
education may be used to pay any person for influencing or
attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency,
a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or
an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with any
Federal action described in paragraph (2) of this section.
(2) The prohibition in paragraph (1) of this section
applies with respect to the following Federal actions:
(a) the awarding of any Federal contract;
(b) the making of an Federal grant;
(c) the making of any Federal loan;
(d) the entering into of any cooperative agreement;
(e) the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or
modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or
cooperative agreement.
(3) No Federal student aid funding may be used to hire a
registered lobbyist or pay any person or entity for securing
an earmark.
(4) Any person who makes an expenditure prohibited by
section (1) or section (3) shall be subject to a civil
penalty of not less than $100,000 and not more than
$1,000,000.
(5) The Secretary of Education shall take such actions as
are necessary to ensure that the provisions of this section
are vigorously implemented and enforced in such agency.
______
SA 2382. Mr. KENNEDY (for himself and Mr. Enzi) proposed an amendment
to the bill S. 1642, to extend the authorization of programs under the
Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes; as follows:
On page 561, line 12, strike ``90'' and insert ``30''.
On page 577, strike lines 20 through 22, and insert the
following:
``(b) Exception.--The provisions of subsection (a) shall
not apply to a system (or a successor system) that is
necessary for the operation of programs authorized by title
II, IV, or VII that were in use by the Secretary, directly or
through a contractor, as of the day before the date of
enactment of the Higher Education Amendments of 2007.
On page 601, strike lines 5 through 12 and insert the
following:
``(10) High-need early childhood education program.--The
term `high-need early childhood education program' means an
early childhood education program serving children from low-
income families that is located within the geographic area
served by a high-need local educational agency.
On page 611, line 9, after ``learning'' insert ``, which
may include the use of formative assessments, performance-
based assessments, project-based assessments, or portfolio
assessments, that measure higher-order thinking skills,
including application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation''.
On page 611, strike lines 14 through 16 and insert the
following:
``(G) use, in the case of an early childhood educator, age-
and developmentally-appropriate strategies and practices for
children in early education programs.
On page 614, strike lines 18 through 21 and insert the
following:
``(i) State early learning standards for early childhood
education programs, as appropriate, and with the relevant
domains of early childhood development; and
On page 631, between lines 4 and 5, insert the following:
``(f) Allowable Use of Grant Funds.--An eligible
partnership that receives a grant under this part may use
grant funds provided to carry out the activities described in
subsections (d) and (e) to partner with a television public
broadcast station, as defined in section 397(6) of the
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 397(6)), for the
purpose of improving the quality of pre-baccalaureate teacher
preparation programs. The partnership may use such funds to
enhance the quality of pre-service training for prospective
teachers, including through the use of digital educational
content and related services.
On page 631, line 5, strike ``(f)'' and insert ``(g)''.
On page 631, line 23, strike ``(g)'' and insert ``(h)''.
On page 632, line 6, strike ``(h)'' and insert ``(i)''.
On page 667, line 8, strike ``and''.
On page 667, strike line 10, and insert ``fied graduate
program;''.
On page 667, between lines 10 and 11, insert the following:
``(Z) Kentucky State University qualified graduate program;
and
``(AA) Grambling State University qualified graduate
program.'';
On page 667, line 20, strike ``and''.
On page 667, line 20, after ``(Y)'' insert ``, (Z), and
(AA)''.
On page 668, line 3, strike ``and (Y)'' and insert ``(Y),
(Z), and (AA)''.
On page 668, line 7, strike ``(Y)'' and insert ``(AA)''.
On page 679, strike lines 12 through 23 and insert the
following:
``(i) offers a single liberal arts curriculum leading to a
baccalaureate degree, under which students are not permitted
by the institution to declare a major in a particular subject
area, and those students--
``(I) study, in such years, a subject described in
subparagraph (C)(i) that is at least equal to the
requirements for an academic major at an institution of
higher education that offers a baccalaureate degree in such
subject, as certified by an appropriate official from the
institution; or
``(II) are required, as part of their degree program, to
undertake a rigorous course of study in mathematics, biology,
chemistry, and physics, which consists of at least--
``(aa) 4 years of study in mathematics; and
``(bb) 3 years of study in the sciences, with a laboratory
component in each of those years; and
On page 712, between lines 2 and 3, insert the following:
(3) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Carry over.--An eligible entity that receives a grant
under this chapter may carry over any unspent grant funds
from the final year of the grant period into the following
year.'';
On page 716, between lines 8 and 9, insert the following:
(4) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``paid to students
from State, local, institutional, or private funds under this
chapter'' and inserting ``obligated to students from State,
local, institutional, or private funds under this chapter,
including pre-existing non-Federal financial assistance
programs,'';
On page 716, between lines 16 and 17, insert the following:
(5) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) other resources recognized by the Secretary,
including equipment and supplies, cash contributions from
non-Federal sources, transportation expenses, in-kind or
discounted program services, indirect costs, and facility
usage.''.
On page 720, between lines 11 and 12, insert the following:
``(12) Fostering and improving parent and family
involvement in elementary and secondary education by
promoting the advantages of a college education, and
emphasizing academic admission requirements and the need to
take college preparation courses, through parent engagement
and leadership activities.
``(13) Disseminating information that promotes the
importance of higher education, explains college preparation
and admissions requirements, and raises awareness of the
resources and services provided by the eligible entities to
eligible students, their families, and communities.
On page 767, strike lines 20 through 22 and insert the
following:
SEC. 423. DEFAULT REDUCTION PROGRAM.
Section 428F (20 U.S.C. 1078-6) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by adding at the end the
following: ``Upon the sale of the loan to an eligible lender,
the guaranty agency, and any prior holder of the loan, shall
request any consumer reporting agency to which the guaranty
agency or holder, as applicable, reported the default of the
loan, to remove the record of default from the borrower's
credit history.''; and
[[Page S9789]]
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Limitation.--A borrower may obtain the benefits
available under this subsection with respect to
rehabilitating a loan only one time per loan.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
On page 784, between lines 20 and 21, insert the following:
SEC. 451A. ALLOWANCE FOR BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Section 462(c)(4)(D) (20 U.S.C. 1087bb(c)(4)(D)) is amended
by striking ``$450'' and inserting ``$600''.
SEC. 451B. PERKINS LOAN FORBEARANCE.
Section 464 (20 U.S.C. 1087dd) is amended--
(1) in subsection (e)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``,
upon written request,'' and inserting ``, as documented in
accordance with paragraph (2),'';
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as
subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively;
(C) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``Forbearance.--''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) For the purpose of paragraph (1), the terms of
forbearance agreed to by the parties shall be documented by--
``(A) confirming the agreement of the borrower by notice to
the borrower from the institution of higher education; and
``(B) recording the terms in the borrower's file.''; and
(2) in subsection (j), by striking ``(e)(3)'' and inserting
``(e)(1)(C)''.
On page 824, strike lines 13 through 16 and insert ``who
has completed secondary school; or''.
On page 828, strike lines 6 through 12 and insert the
following:
``(P) institutional policies and sanctions related to
copyright infringement, including--
``(i) an annual disclosure that explicitly informs students
that unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material,
including unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, may subject
the students to civil and criminal liabilities;
``(ii) a summary of the penalties for violation of Federal
copyright laws;
``(iii) a description of the institution's policies with
respect to unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, including
disciplinary actions that are taken against students who
engage in unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials
using the institution's information technology system; and
``(iv) a description of actions that the institution takes
to prevent and detect unauthorized distribution of
copyrighted material on the institution's information
technology system;
On page 838, line 4, strike ``institution's''.
On page 838, line 5, insert ``established by the
institution'' after ``policies''.
On page 838, strike lines 8 through 11, and insert the
following:
``(A) any established criteria the institution uses
regarding the transfer of credit earned at another
institution of higher education; and
On page 887, strike lines 21 through 23, and insert the
following:
``(B) that include a statement of the criteria established
by the institution regarding the transfer of credit earned at
another institution of higher education.'';
On page 827, between lines 20 and 21, insert the following:
(i) in subparagraph (G)--
(I) by striking ``program, and'' and inserting
``program,''; and
(II) by inserting ``, and (iv) any plans by the institution
for improving the academic program of the institution'' after
``instructional personnel''; and
On page 829, line 11, strike ``and'' after the semicolon.
On page 829, strike line 13 and insert the following:
institution pursuant to subsection (i).
``(U) the retention rate of certificate- or degree-seeking,
full-time, undergraduate students entering such
institution.'';
On page 883, strike line 1 and all that follows through
page 884, line 9 and insert the following:
``(A) success with respect to student achievement in
relation to the institution's mission, which may include
different standards for different institutions or programs,
as established by the institution, including, as appropriate,
consideration of State licensing examinations and job
placement rates;'';
On page 887, line 24, strike ``and''.
On page 888, line 7, strike the second period and insert
``; and''.
On page 888, between lines 7 and 8, insert the following:
(4) in subsection (o), by adding at the end the following:
``Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary
shall not promulgate any regulation with respect to
subsection (a)(5).''.
Strike line 24 on page 939 and all that follows through
line 2 on page 940 and insert the following:
``(5) Amounts for scholarships.--All of the amounts
appropriated to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year
shall be used for scholarships awarded under this subsection,
except that a nonprofit organization receiving a contract
under this subsection may use not more than 1 percent of such
amounts for the administrative costs of the contract.''.
After line 24 on page 1032, insert the following:
SEC. 802. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS.
Title VIII (as added by section 801) is further amended by
adding at the end the following:
``PART N--SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM
``SEC. 876. SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE COMPETITIVE GRANT
PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human
Services (referred to in this section as the `Secretary')
shall award competitive grants to eligible entities for the
purpose of improving public health preparedness through
increasing the number of veterinarians in the workforce.
``(b) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant
under subsection (a), an entity shall--
``(1) be--
``(A) a public or other nonprofit school of veterinary
medicine that is accredited by a nationally recognized
accrediting agency or association recognized by the Secretary
of Education pursuant to part H of title IV;
``(B) a public or nonprofit, department of comparative
medicine, department of veterinary science, school of public
health, or school of medicine that is accredited by a
nationally recognized accrediting agency or association
recognized by the Secretary of Education pursuant to part H
of title IV and that offers graduate training for
veterinarians in a public health practice area as determined
by the Secretary; or
``(C) a public or nonprofit entity that--
``(i) conducts recognized residency training programs for
veterinarians that are approved by a veterinary specialty
organization that is recognized by the American Veterinary
Medical Association; and
``(ii) offers postgraduate training for veterinarians in a
public health practice area as determined by the Secretary;
and
``(2) prepare and submit to the Secretary an application,
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Secretary may require.
``(c) Consideration of Applications.--The Secretary shall
establish procedures to ensure that applications under
subsection (b)(2) are rigorously reviewed and that grants are
competitively awarded based on--
``(1) the ability of the applicant to increase the number
of veterinarians who are trained in specified public health
practice areas as determined by the Secretary;
``(2) the ability of the applicant to increase capacity in
research on high priority disease agents; or
``(3) any other consideration the Secretary determines
necessary.
``(d) Preference.--In awarding grants under subsection (a),
the Secretary shall give preference to applicants that
demonstrate a comprehensive approach by involving more than
one school of veterinary medicine, department of comparative
medicine, department of veterinary science, school of public
health, school of medicine, or residency training program
that offers postgraduate training for veterinarians in a
public health practice area as determined by the Secretary.
``(e) Use of Funds.--Amounts received under a grant under
this section shall be used by a grantee to increase the
number of veterinarians in the workforce through paying costs
associated with the expansion of academic programs at schools
of veterinary medicine, departments of comparative medicine,
departments of veterinary science, or entities offering
residency training programs, or academic programs that offer
postgraduate training for veterinarians or concurrent
training for veterinary students in specific areas of
specialization, which costs may include minor renovation and
improvement in classrooms, libraries, and laboratories.
``(f) Definition of Public Health Practice.--In this
section, the term `public health practice' includes
bioterrorism and emergency preparedness, environmental
health, food safety and food security, regulatory medicine,
diagnostic laboratory medicine, and biomedical research.
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such
sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008 and each of the
5 succeeding fiscal years. Amounts appropriated under this
subsection shall remain available until expended.
``PART O--EARLY FEDERAL PELL GRANT COMMITMENT DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM
``SEC. 881. EARLY FEDERAL PELL GRANT COMMITMENT DEMONSTRATION
PROGRAM.
``(a) Demonstration Program Authority.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to carry out
an Early Federal Pell Grant Commitment Demonstration Program
under which--
``(A) the Secretary awards grants to 4 State educational
agencies, in accordance with paragraph (2), to pay the
administrative expenses incurred in participating in the
demonstration program under this section; and
``(B) the Secretary awards Federal Pell Grants to
participating students in accordance with this section.
``(2) Grants.--
``(A) In general.--From amounts appropriated under
subsection (h) for a fiscal year, the Secretary is authorized
to award grants to 4 State educational agencies to enable the
State educational agencies to pay the administrative expenses
incurred in participating in a demonstration program under
which 8th grade students who are eligible for
[[Page S9790]]
a free or reduced price meal described in subsection
(b)(1)(B) receive a commitment to receive a Federal Pell
Grant early in their academic careers.
``(B) Equal amounts.--The Secretary shall award grants
under this section in equal amounts to each of the 4
participating State educational agencies.
``(b) Demonstration Project Requirements.--Each of the 4
demonstration projects assisted under this section shall meet
the following requirements:
``(1) Participants.--
``(A) In general.--The State educational agency shall make
participation in the demonstration project available to 2
cohorts of students, which shall consist of--
``(i) 1 cohort of 8th grade students who begin the
participation in academic year 2008-2009; and
``(ii) 1 cohort of 8th grade students who begin the
participation in academic year 2009-2010.
``(B) Students in each cohort.--Each cohort of students
shall consist of not more than 10,000 8th grade students who
qualify for a free or reduced price meal under the Richard B.
Russell National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act
of 1966.
``(2) Student data.--The State educational agency shall
ensure that student data from local educational agencies
serving students who participate in the demonstration
project, as well as student data from local educational
agencies serving a comparable group of students who do not
participate in the demonstration project, are available for
evaluation of the demonstration project, except that in no
case shall such data be provided in a manner that would
reveal personally identifiable information about an
individual student.
``(3) Federal pell grant commitment.--Each student who
participates in the demonstration project receives a
commitment from the Secretary to receive a Federal Pell Grant
during the first academic year that the student is in
attendance at an institution of higher education as an
undergraduate, if the student applies for Federal financial
aid (via the FAFSA or EZ FAFSA) during the student's senior
year of secondary school and during succeeding years.
``(4) Application process.--The Secretary shall establish
an application process to select State educational agencies
to participate in the demonstration program and State
educational agencies shall establish an application process
to select local educational agencies within the State to
participate in the demonstration project.
``(5) Local educational agency participation.--Subject to
the 10,000 statewide student limitation described in
paragraph (1), a local educational agency serving students,
not less than 50 percent of whom are eligible for a free or
reduced price meal under the Richard B. Russell National
School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, shall be
eligible to participate in the demonstration project.
``(c) State Educational Agency Applications.--
``(1) In general.--Each State educational agency desiring
to participate in the demonstration program under this
section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time and in such manner as the Secretary may require.
``(2) Contents.--Each application shall include--
``(A) a description of the proposed targeted information
campaign for the demonstration project and a copy of the plan
described in subsection (f)(2);
``(B) a description of the student population that will
receive an early commitment to receive a Federal Pell Grant
under this section;
``(C) an assurance that the State educational agency will
fully cooperate with the ongoing evaluation of the
demonstration project; and
``(D) such other information as the Secretary may require.
``(d) Selection Considerations.--
``(1) Selection of state educational agencies.--In
selecting State educational agencies to participate in the
demonstration program under this section, the Secretary shall
consider--
``(A) the number and quality of State educational agency
applications received;
``(B) the Department's capacity to oversee and monitor each
State educational agency's participation in the demonstration
program;
``(C) a State educational agency's--
``(i) financial responsibility;
``(ii) administrative capability;
``(iii) commitment to focusing State resources, in addition
to any resources provided under part A of title I of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, on students
who receive assistance under such part A;
``(iv) ability and plans to run an effective and thorough
targeted information campaign for students served by local
educational agencies eligible to participate in the
demonstration project; and
``(v) ability to ensure the participation in the
demonstration program of a diverse group of students,
including with respect to ethnicity and gender.
``(2) Local educational agency.--In selecting local
educational agencies to participate in a demonstration
project under this section, the State educational agency
shall consider--
``(A) the number and quality of local educational agency
applications received;
``(B) the State educational agency's capacity to oversee
and monitor each local educational agency's participation in
the demonstration project;
``(C) a local educational agency's--
``(i) financial responsibility;
``(ii) administrative capability;
``(iii) commitment to focusing local resources, in addition
to any resources provided under part A of title I of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, on students
who receive assistance under such part A;
``(iv) ability and plans to run an effective and thorough
targeted information campaign for students served by the
local educational agency; and
``(v) ability to ensure the participation in the
demonstration project of a diverse group of students with
respect to ethnicity and gender.
``(e) Evaluation.--
``(1) In general.--From amounts appropriated under
subsection (h) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve
not more than $1,000,000 to award a grant or contract to an
organization outside the Department for an independent
evaluation of the impact of the demonstration program
assisted under this section.
``(2) Competitive basis.--The grant or contract shall be
awarded on a competitive basis.
``(3) Matters evaluated.--The evaluation described in this
subsection shall--
``(A) determine the number of individuals who were
encouraged by the demonstration program to pursue higher
education;
``(B) identify the barriers to the effectiveness of the
demonstration program;
``(C) assess the cost-effectiveness of the demonstration
program in improving access to higher education;
``(D) identify the reasons why participants in the
demonstration program either received or did not receive a
Federal Pell Grant;
``(E) identify intermediate outcomes related to
postsecondary education attendance, such as whether
participants--
``(i) were more likely to take a college-prep curriculum
while in secondary school;
``(ii) submitted any college applications; and
``(iii) took the PSAT, SAT, or ACT;
``(F) identify the number of individuals participating in
the demonstration program who pursued an associate's degree
or a bachelor's degree, or other postsecondary education;
``(G) compare the findings of the demonstration program
with respect to participants to comparison groups (of similar
size and demographics) that did not participate in the
demonstration program; and
``(H) identify the impact on the parents of students
eligible to participate in the demonstration program.
``(4) Dissemination.--The findings of the evaluation shall
be reported to the Secretary, who shall widely disseminate
the findings to the public.
``(f) Targeted Information Campaign.--
``(1) In general.--Each State educational agency receiving
a grant under this section shall, in cooperation with the
participating local educational agencies within the State and
the Secretary, develop a targeted information campaign for
the demonstration program assisted under this section.
``(2) Plan.--Each State educational agency receiving a
grant under this section shall include in the application
submitted under subsection (c) a written plan for their
proposed targeted information campaign. The plan shall
include the following:
``(A) Outreach.--A description of the outreach to students
and their families at the beginning and end of each academic
year of the demonstration project, at a minimum.
``(B) Distribution.--How the State educational agency plans
to provide the outreach described in subparagraph (A) and to
provide the information described in subparagraph (C).
``(C) Information.--The annual provision by the State
educational agency to all students and families participating
in the demonstration program of information regarding--
``(i) the estimated statewide average cost of attendance
for an institution of higher education for each academic
year, which cost data shall be disaggregated by--
``(I) type of institution, including--
``(aa) 2-year public degree-granting institutions of higher
education;
``(bb) 4-year public degree-granting institutions of higher
education; and
``(cc) 4-year private degree-granting institutions of
higher education;
``(II) component, including--
``(aa) tuition and fees; and
``(bb) room and board;
``(ii) Federal Pell Grants, including--
``(I) the maximum Federal Pell Grant for each award year;
``(II) when and how to apply for a Federal Pell Grant; and
``(III) what the application process for a Federal Pell
Grant requires;
``(iii) State-specific college savings programs;
``(iv) State merit-based financial aid;
``(v) State need-based financial aid; and
``(vi) Federal financial aid available to students,
including eligibility criteria for such aid and an
explanation of the Federal financial aid programs, such as
the Student Guide published by the Department of Education
(or any successor to such document).
[[Page S9791]]
``(3) Cohorts.--The information described in paragraph
(2)(C) shall be provided to 2 cohorts of students annually
for the duration of the students' participation in the
demonstration program. The 2 cohorts shall consist of--
``(A) 1 cohort of 8th grade students who begin the
participation in academic year 2008-2009; and
``(B) 1 cohort of 8th grade students who begin the
participation in academic year 2009-2010.
``(4) Reservation.--Each State educational agency receiving
a grant under this section shall reserve not more than 15
percent of the grant funds received each fiscal year to carry
out the targeted information campaign described in this
subsection.
``(g) Supplement, Not Supplant.--A State educational agency
shall use grant funds received under this section only to
supplement the funds that would, in the absence of such
funds, be made available from non-Federal sources for
students participating in the demonstration program under
this section, and not to supplant such funds.
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such
sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008 and each of the
5 succeeding fiscal years.
``PART P--HENRY KUUALOHA GIUGNI KUPUNA MEMORIAL ARCHIVES
``SEC. 886. HENRY KUUALOHA GIUGNI KUPUNA MEMORIAL ARCHIVES.
``(a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary is authorized to
award a grant to the University of Hawaii Academy for
Creative Media for the establishment, maintenance, and
periodic modernization of the Henry Kuualoha Giugni Kupuna
Memorial Archives at the University of Hawaii.
``(b) Use of Funds.--The Henry Kuualoha Giugni Kupuna
Memorial Archives shall use the grant funds received under
this section--
``(1) to facilitate the acquisition of a secure web
accessible repository of Native Hawaiian historical data rich
in ethnic and cultural significance to the United States for
preservation and access by future generations;
``(2) to award scholarships to facilitate access to a
postsecondary education for students who cannot afford such
education;
``(3) to support programmatic efforts associated with the
web-based media projects of the archives;
``(4) to create educational materials, from the contents of
the archives, that are applicable to a broad range of
indigenous students, such as Native Hawaiians, Alaskan
Natives, and Native American Indians;
``(5) to develop outreach initiatives that introduce the
archival collections to elementary schools and secondary
schools;
``(6) to develop supplemental web-based resources that
define terms and cultural practices innate to Native
Hawaiians;
``(7) to rent, lease, purchase, maintain, or repair
educational facilities to house the archival collections;
``(8) to rent, lease, purchase, maintain, or repair
computer equipment for use by elementary schools and
secondary schools in accessing the archival collections;
``(9) to provide pre-service and in-service teacher
training to develop a core group of kindergarten through
grade 12 teachers who are able to provide instruction in a
way that is relevant to the unique background of indigenous
students, such as Native Hawaiians, Alaskan Natives, and
Native American Indians, in order to--
``(A) facilitate greater understanding by teachers of the
unique background of indigenous students; and
``(B) improve student achievement; and
``(10) to increase the economic and financial literacy of
postsecondary education students through the dissemination of
best practices used at other institutions of higher education
regarding debt and credit management and economic decision-
making.
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such
sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008 and each of the
5 succeeding fiscal years.''.
On page 1036, strike lines 8 through 15 and insert the
following:
``(2) If, pursuant to the agreement established under
paragraph (1), either the Secretary or the Rochester
Institute of Technology terminates the agreement, the
Secretary shall consider proposals from other institutions of
higher education and enter into an agreement with one of
those institutions for the establishment and operation of a
National Technical Institution for the Deaf.''; and
On page 1038, line 15, strike ``2007'' and insert ``2008''.
On page 900, line 1, strike ``(a) Authorizations.--'' and
insert ``(a) Authorizations.--There are''.
On page 674, lines 20 and 21, strike ``paragraph (4) (as
redesignated by subparagraph (C))'' and insert ``paragraph
(5)''.
On page 675, lines 6 and 7, strike ``paragraph (5) (as
redesignated by subparagraph (C))'' and insert ``paragraph
(6)''.
On page 675, line 9, strike ``(5)'' and insert ``(6)''.
On page 579, between lines 11 and 12, insert the following:
SEC. 110A. STATE HIGHER EDUCATION INFORMATION SYSTEM PILOT
PROGRAM.
Part C of title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as
amended by this title) is further amended by adding at the
end the following:
``SEC. 135. STATE HIGHER EDUCATION INFORMATION SYSTEM PILOT
PROGRAM.
``(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to carry
out a pilot program to assist not more than 5 States to
develop State-level postsecondary student data systems to--
``(1) improve the capacity of States and institutions of
higher education to generate more comprehensive and
comparable data, in order to develop better-informed
educational policy at the State level and to evaluate the
effectiveness of institutional performance while protecting
the confidentiality of students' personally identifiable
information; and
``(2) identify how to best minimize the data-reporting
burden placed on institutions of higher education,
particularly smaller institutions, and to maximize and
improve the information institutions receive from the data
systems, in order to assist institutions in improving
educational practice and postsecondary outcomes.
``(b) Definition of Eligible Entity.--In this section, the
term `eligible entity' means--
``(1) a State higher education system; or
``(2) a consortium of State higher education systems, or a
consortium of individual institutions of higher education,
that is broadly representative of institutions in different
sectors and geographic locations.
``(c) Competitive Grants.--
``(1) Grants authorized.--The Secretary shall award grants,
on a competitive basis, to not more than 5 eligible entities
to enable the eligible entities to--
``(A) design, test, and implement systems of postsecondary
student data that provide the maximum benefits to States,
institutions of higher education, and State policymakers; and
``(B) examine the costs and burdens involved in
implementing a State-level postsecondary student data system.
``(2) Duration.--A grant awarded under this section shall
be for a period of not more than 3 years.
``(d) Application Requirements.--An eligible entity
desiring a grant under this section shall submit an
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner,
and containing such information as the Secretary determines
is necessary, including a description of--
``(1) how the eligible entity will ensure that student
privacy is protected and that individually identifiable
information about students, the students' achievements, and
the students' families remains confidential in accordance
with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
(20 U.S.C. 1232g); and
``(2) how the activities funded by the grant will be
supported after the 3-year grant period.
``(e) Use of Funds.--A grant awarded under this section
shall be used to--
``(1) design, develop, and implement the components of a
comprehensive postsecondary student data system with the
capacity to transmit student information within States;
``(2) improve the capacity of institutions of higher
education to analyze and use student data;
``(3) select and define common data elements, data quality,
and other elements that will enable the data system to--
``(A) serve the needs of institutions of higher education
for institutional research and improvement;
``(B) provide students and the students' families with
useful information for decision-making about postsecondary
education;
``(C) provide State policymakers with improved information
to monitor and guide efforts to improve student outcomes and
success in higher education;
``(4) estimate costs and burdens at the institutional level
for the reporting system for different types of institutions;
and
``(5) test the feasibility of protocols and standards for
maintaining data privacy and data access.
``(f) Evaluation; Reports.--Not later than 6 months after
the end of the projects funded by grants awarded under this
section, the Secretary shall--
``(1) conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the pilot
program authorized by this section; and
``(2) report the Secretary's findings, as well as
recommendations regarding the implementation of State-level
postsecondary student data systems to the authorizing
committees.
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such
sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008 and each of the
5 succeeding fiscal years.''.
____________________