H.R. 9611 Introduced Education

Less Bureaucracy, Better Higher Education Act

To ensure the Department of Labor will manage certain postsecondary education programs, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8] Introduced July 9, 2026 Cosponsors 1 (1 R) Latest action July 15, 2026

Summary

Less Bureaucracy, Better Higher Education Act
This bill transfers specified functions relating to postsecondary education programs from the Department of Education (ED) to the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA).
Specifically, the bill transfers to the ETA all the functions and authorities exercised by ED before the bill's effective date related to postsecondary education programs. These programs include, among others, TRIO programs and the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education. (On November 18, 2025, ED announced an interagency agreement with Labor for Labor to manage grant funds, provide technical assistance, and integrate ED's programs with Labor's existing programs, while ED must maintain its statutory responsibilities and program oversight.)
The bill also repeals the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program, the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program, the College Access Challenge Grant Program, and the Project GRAD program.
Additionally, the bill transfers to the ETA all personnel and appropriations related to the functions that are transferred under this bill.
The bill outlines the authority of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) related to the functions that are transferred under this bill, including that OMB must ensure that this bill does not create a net increase in full-time equivalent employees at the ETA or ED. Further, OMB must certify compliance with the bill to specified congressional committees.
The transfer of these functions does not affect any suits, proceedings, or applications for benefits, services, licenses, permits, certificates, or financial assistance that are pending on the date of this bill's enactment.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Jul 15, 2026 Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 16.
  2. Jul 15, 2026 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  3. Jul 9, 2026 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
  4. Jul 9, 2026 Introduced in House

Congressional and federal records come from official public sources: the House Clerk, the U.S. Senate, GovInfo and the Library of Congress (bill status), the Federal Register, and the congress-legislators project. They are copied on a schedule and may lag the official record by a few hours; the official sources govern. News and coverage counts are drawn from the 4Search index and reflect what the press published, not 4Search's views. Nothing here is an endorsement of any candidate, party or position. Terms of use.