Senate HELP Committee
Coverage of Senate HELP Committee in the Nexus archive.
- Senate education committee blocks parts of Trump’s Education Department breakup
The Senate education committee approved a bipartisan bill to block the Trump administration's plan to transfer key education offices to other federal agencies. The legislation, S. 5046, prevents the Education Department from moving the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, along with other major education offices, to other departments. The bill aims to maintain federal oversight of critical education programs and funding.
- Senate Panel Advances Science of Reading, Dyslexia Bills with Bipartisan Support
A bipartisan-supported bill requiring states to use the science of reading in classrooms to qualify for a federal literacy grant advanced from the Senate HELP Committee. The READ Act (S.4689) aims to strengthen federal oversight of literacy instruction and includes provisions for teacher training and funding shifts. Another bill explicitly identifying dyslexia as a learning disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act also passed.
- Republicans get antsy about confirmations as the Senate hangs in the balance
President Donald Trump is delaying federal nominations as Republican senators express concern over unfilled judicial and cabinet positions ahead of midterms. Trump's White House cites a focus on selecting 'the right people' for roles, but this approach has unsettled GOP lawmakers like Tommy Tuberville and Ted Cruz, who advocate for faster judicial appointments to solidify Trump's legacy.
- RFK Jr. out for revenge against skeptical senator
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his MAHA movement are seeking to unseat Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy in the Louisiana primary. Cassidy has been skeptical of Kennedy's health policy reforms and has pushed back on several efforts. The MAHA movement views Cassidy as a major obstacle to their goals.