Federal Update - May 19

May 19, 2026

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS HIGHLIGHTS

Comments Due Tomorrow: Accountability Framework Deadline Looms  

Louisiana Senate Shakeup: Cassidy Ousted as Letlow Gains Edge 

Reconciliation Turbulence: DHS Funding Plan Slows Down 

ED Agenda Under Fire: McMahon Pressed on Accountability Framework 

Workforce Pell Finalized: Short‑Term Programs Gain Access 

AIM Rulemaking Continues: Second Session Tackles Accreditation Changes 

ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK COMMENTS DUE TOMORROW

What You Need to Know 

Comments are due tomorrow in response to ED’s Accountability in Higher Education and Access Through Demand-Driven Workforce Pell: Student Tuition and Transparency System and Earnings Accountability notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AACS continues to urge all members to submit thoughtful comments that challenge the NPRM and to offer constructive alternatives. All comments must be submitted to ED through the regulations.gov portal no later than 11:59pm ET on Wednesday, May 20.  If you are still considering drafting comments, AACS has prepared a Comment Writing Roadmap for Institutions (available here) and a Comment-Writing Roadmap for Industry and Graduates (available here). These documents are intended to guide AACS members through the comment-writing process and to suggest ideas about topics it may be worthwhile to include.  

Why This Is Important 

In OB3, Congress directed ED to develop accountability regulations for undergraduate degree programs, graduate degree programs, and graduate certificate programs. But the law pointedly excluded undergraduate certificate programs. ED nevertheless proposes to extend the new accountability framework to include undergraduate certificates, like most cosmetology, barber, and wellness programs. ED’s data suggests that nearly all such programs are projected to fail the accountability framework’s requirements, with the significant majority of programs facing the potential loss of Title IV eligibility and continued viability.   

LETLOW SURGES IN LOUISIANA

What You Need to Know 

Senator Bill Cassidy (R‑LA), who chairs the Senate HELP Committee, lost his bid for reelection over the weekend in Louisiana’s primary. He placed third in the Republican primary, behind Representative Julia Letlow (R‑LA) and State Treasurer John Fleming, after losing support from President Trump. Cassidy’s vote to impeach Trump after January 6 and his scrutiny of key Administration nominees contributed to the President’s loss of confidence. Letlow, running with Trump’s endorsement, finished first with 44 percent of the vote and is now the frontrunner heading into a two-way June 27 runoff. 

Why This Is Important 

Senator Cassidy helped shape major elements of OB3, including the Accountability Framework. With only months left in office, he may feel freer to challenge Administration priorities, especially on nominations. It is too soon to predict who might take over Republican leadership of the Committee in the 120th Congress that begins in January. If Letlow wins, the Senate could gain a member already deeply engaged in education policy. She currently serves on both the House EdWorkforce and House LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee and is a former university administrator. 

DHS RECONCILIATION 3.0 ON DECK

What You Need to Know 

The Senate is preparing to vote on another reconciliation package that would fund immigration enforcement agencies through 2029. This follows last month’s deal to reopen the rest of the US Department of Homeland Security after a lengthy shutdown. While reconciliation allows Republicans to move the bill without Democratic support, the proposal is already hitting friction. Lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns about nearly $1 billion included for the President’s ballroom project. In addition, the Senate’s parliamentarian has required changes to several provisions that do not meet the Senate’s budget rules. 

Why This Is Important 

President Trump wants the bill passed by June 1, but that timeline may slip. Required revisions, internal disagreements, and a planned congressional recess all complicate the path forward. With the midterm elections approaching quickly, the window for Republicans to move major legislation is narrowing. Delays now could derail broader policy efforts later this year. 

MCMAHON TALKS BUDGET PRIORITIES ACROSS CAPITOL HILL

What You Need to Know 

Education Secretary Linda McMahon continued defending the Administration’s budget proposal in a second round of congressional hearings last week, this time before the House EdWorkforce Committee. Republicans were largely supportive of McMahon, though some were critical of ED’s recent negotiated rulemakings. Former committee chair Virginia Foxx (R-NC) as well as Representative GT Thompson (R-PA) explicitly referenced cosmetology schools when pushing the Secretary to ensure the Accountability Framework rule does not unintentionally harm the industry. Representatives Mackenzie (R-PA), Fine (R-FL), and McClain (R-MI) pushed back on the RISE rule, which excluded nursing programs from higher loan limits on certain graduate programs. 

Why This Is Important 

The hearing highlighted bipartisan unease with parts of the Administration’s education agenda. Even members aligned with the President signaled concern about how new rules could affect specific industries like cosmetology and nursing. While lawmakers expressed frustration, it remains unclear whether those concerns will translate into concrete policy changes. 

ED PUBLISHES WORKFORCE PELL FINAL RULE

What You Need to Know 

On May 19, ED published the new Workforce Pell final rule in the Federal Register. The regulation extends Pell Grant eligibility to short‑term workforce programs offering 150 to 599 clock hours over at least eight, but fewer than fifteen, weeks. Programs must secure approval from a governor and must meet completion and job placement benchmarks. Most provisions of the regulation will take effect July 1, 2026. 

Why This Is Important 

Workforce Pell marks a major expansion of short‑term training eligibility and members of both political parties have supported the expansion.  

AIM NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING WEEK TWO UNDERWAY

What You Need to Know 

On May 18, ED kicked off the second session of the Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) negotiated rulemaking committee. AIM negotiators began walking through ED’s updated 173-page draft regulations, circulated last week. Key topics include, among others, updates to accreditation standards that would require academic freedom protections to extend to faculty regardless of viewpoint; a requirement for accreditor internal controls to ensure accreditor compliance with antitrust laws; and revisions to accreditor substantive change processes. 

Why This Is Important 

AACS will continue to keep AACS members informed as the AIM negotiated rulemaking progresses. Whether the committee will achieve consensus at the conclusion of this week remains to be seen. In the absence of consensus, ED would be free to craft a proposed rule as the agency chooses. If the committee reaches consensus, ED would be bound to adopt the consensus language for purposes of the proposed rule.  

For More Information

If you have any questions about this Update, please email info@myaacs.org.