Bobby Scott

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, let's be clear. If this wasn't about politics, then it would also have included fascism as well as communism. While the majority pushes this bill forward, it narrowly focuses on teaching some aspects of communism. We are ignoring the broader issues that affect students every day. We should be working together to improve academic achievement, close learning gaps, improve graduation rates, make college more affordable, and other important education issues. Instead of pursuing this distraction, let's focus on the real challenges that students face in the classroom today. Let's pass substantive legislation that supports our educators with the resources to provide a safe learning environment and empowers our students to succeed and prepares them for the future. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to prioritize the actual needs of the students, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 837 which reaffirms the ties between the United States and the Philippines. This resolution highlights the important partnership between our two nations and makes it clear that we will firmly stand by our allies in the Indo-Pacific region. I also thank the gentleman from Guam, Mr. Moylan, for both leading this resolution and for co-chairing the U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus with me. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to meet with the President of the Philippines, along with members of the Philippine House of Representatives, to discuss the important bilateral relationship between our two countries. These conversations between Members of the United States Congress and elected officials in the Philippines solidify the bonds between our two nations and help identify areas of mutual interest and concern in the Indo-Pacific region. In these discussions we emphasized our shared vision of keeping peace and freedom, particularly in the South China Sea. We are putting these goals into action. Earlier this year, Congress passed the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, recommending $500 million in foreign military financing go to the Philippines. Following the passage of the amendment, Secretaries Blinken and Austin announced $500 million in military funding to help monetize the Philippines military and Coast Guard and boost collaboration. This resolution reaffirms the United States' commitment to invoke the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty if Philippine assets are attacked in the South China Sea and welcomes a swift implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. I was pleased to see the Biden administration expand the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement to include four new military training sites. This will allow the United States and the Philippines to better address shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. I look forward to continuing our work to strengthen the ties between our countries. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8932, the FAFSA Deadline Act, which would set a firm October 1 deadline for the Department of Education to roll out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, form starting in 2025. This bill will help millions of students and families access Federal financial aid in a timely manner. We know that higher education is a pathway to opportunity, but the rising cost of college has made it out of reach for a lot of students. Federal student aid, including Pell grants and student loans, is essential to making college affordable. That is why in 2020, I worked with Senator Lamar Alexander to pass the FAFSA Simplification Act, to make Federal student aid easier to access. Regrettably, last year, technical problems with the newly redesigned FAFSA form delayed the students' access to this vital aid, and as a result, too many students could not submit their applications on time, and many struggled to get the support they needed to resolve those issues. When the committee first considered this bill in July, I voted in opposition because I had serious concerns that the implementation deadline may have forced the Department of Education to roll out an incomplete form on October 1 of this year. However, because we are now considering the bill after October 1, the deadline will apply next year, 2025, and that gives the Department ample time to make improvements and fix any lingering issues. We now have helpful information from the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office that provided specific recommendations in how the Department can continue to improve the rollout and implementation of FAFSA. H.R. 8932 sets a clear, firm deadline for rolling out FAFSA while still giving the Department of Education time to ensure the application functions properly for all students. The bill strikes a balance between ensuring timely access to financial aid and not compromising the quality of the application process. We have made significant progress in simplifying the FAFSA and expanding financial aid in recent years. According to the Department of Education, despite the ongoing FAFSA challenges, roughly half a million more students received a Pell grant this year than last year due primarily to the changes in the formulas used. Under the leadership of President Biden and congressional Democrats, the maximum Pell grant has increased by $900 over the last several years, giving students additional financial support to cover college costs. This bill will help ensure that even more students have the information they need in a timelier manner to access Pell grants and other vital student aid. Mr. Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Mrs. Lee Carter).

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that this year's FAFSA process was a debacle. However, we are missing part of the story if we don't at least mention the work the Department has already done to get FAFSA back on track. The college support strategy deployed experts to colleges across the country to help financial aid officers navigate the new processing system. The system provided one-time grants to school districts, States, and nonprofit organizations to scale up their ability to provide support to students. They had workshops, advising sessions, and media campaigns funded through the strategy to help produce a significant increase in FAFSA submissions throughout the summer. Additionally, as the Department prepares for the launch of this year's FAFSA form, they are taking great strides in improving transparency and fixing technological issues. I will include in the Record a document from the Department of Education titled: ``A focus on Improving the FAFSA Experience: Updates, actions, and a path forward for the 2025-26 cycle.'' This document outlines 10 core areas to focus on, making improvements to the FAFSA process for both students and colleges. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, which says, in part, that ``cementing an October launch date only addresses a piece of the puzzle; consistency is another. Students must be able to trust that the financial aid application process will function as intended and that they will receive clear communication along the way,'' and they wrote otherwise in support of the legislation. [From NASFAA, July 10, 2024] NASFAA Statement on FAFSA Deadline Act Washington, DC.--Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have introduced a pair of bills that would ensure the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is made available to students on October 1 each year, ahead of their planned year of enrollment. The FAFSA form has typically been made available on October 1 each year since 2016, months earlier than the legally mandated January 1 launch date. This discrepancy between common practice and law came into play during this year's turbulent FAFSA rollout, during which the updated ``Better FAFSA'' became available to students in a limited and incomplete fashion at the end of December 2023. In response to this news, NASFAA Vice President of Public Policy & Federal Relations Karen McCarthy issued the following statement: ``Codifying the October 1 FAFSA launch date into law has been a top priority for NASFAA for many years because, when operating as intended, an earlier release date allows colleges and universities to provide financial aid information to students much sooner. But cementing an October launch date only addresses a piece of the puzzle; consistency is another. Students must be able to trust that the financial aid application process will function as intended and that they will receive clear communication along the way. This past year has shown us just how critical it is that all students are able to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible. Even today, there are aspects of the 2024-25 FAFSA system that are not yet functional or working as intended. However, in the absence of a clear timeline or understanding from the Department of Education about when the entire FAFSA system will be available--including the application itself, the transfer of applicant data to schools, and the ability for applicants and schools to make corrections--forcing an October 1 deadline this year does not guarantee a fully functioning form, and may in fact work against efforts to release a product that has been tested and found to run smoothly. We need all stakeholders to work together in good faith to ensure this year's mistakes are not repeated. We continue to urge the Department of Education to ensure that the entire FAFSA system is up and running as intended as soon as possible and at the same time the application goes live and to promptly communicate that timeline.''

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from The Hope Center at Temple University. They said: ``Students and their families deserve a form that is available all hours of the day, for all types of applicants, and results in the swift transfer of their information to the States and colleges that will develop their financial aid packages.'' They were ``concerned that implementing a rigid deadline less than 3 months away will force additional technical issues for applicants. Therefore, we request that you amend H.R. 8932 to start the new deadline on October 1, 2025.'' That is exactly what we have done in this underlying bill. The Hope Center, July 9, 2024. Hon. Virginia Foxx, Chairwoman, Committee on Education and the Workforce, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Bobby Scott, Ranking Member, Committee on Education and the Workforce, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairwoman Foxx and Ranking Member Scott: The last nine months have been challenging for students and their families. Problems associated with implementing the overhaul of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) have created significant confusion, frustration, and uncertainty for many of those applying for the financial aid they need to succeed in college. Therefore, we thank your Committee for its continued interest in getting the FAFSA back on track, especially for the upcoming 2025-26 cycle launching this fall. We write to comment on H.R. 8932, the FAFSA Deadline Act. In normal years, we agree that the FAFSA should be required to launch no later than nine months before the start of the next award year--or by October 1--a timeline now made possible with the use of prior-prior year tax data. Therefore, we have also joined in coalition requests to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) asking the agency to do everything possible to launch a fully functional FAFSA on time this year. However, it has become clear in recent weeks that ED continues to confront technical issues that could interrupt the usability of the 2025-26 FAFSA. Students and their families deserve a form that is available at all hours of the day, for all types of applicants, and results in the swift transfer of their information to the states and colleges that will develop their aid packages. We must rebuild trust with applicants, college access professionals, and financial aid administrators, all of whom need to see a reliable FAFSA for them to have confidence in the entire system of financial aid. Therefore, we believe it is preferable to have the 2025-26 FAFSA launch be slightly delayed but be fully functional, over an on-time October 1 launch that comes with technical issues and glitches, if such a tradeoff is at hand for the upcoming award year. After the 2025-26 cycle, we support an October 1 launch date requirement, but we are concerned that implementing a rigid deadline less than three months away will force additional technical issues for applicants. Therefore, we request that you amend H.R. 8932 to start the new deadline on October 1, 2025 (for the 2026-27 award year) and avoid legislative changes for the 2025-26 cycle. Additionally, we request that the Committee require a public comment process for the 2026-27 award year and beyond by amending the applicable language in Section 483(a)(4) of the Higher Education Act (HEA). The public comment process is a vital opportunity for stakeholders, practitioners, and students to offer feedback on the design, wording, and format of the questions and help text. However, on June 17 of this year, ED announced that no public comment would be offered for the 2025-26 FAFSA and that the form would instead ``remain consistent'' with the prior year. Given the outstanding issues that remain with the FAFSA, we understand this short-term decision, and we acknowledge a more open- ended Request for Information (RFI) process is expected this summer. However, an RFI does not have the same requirements for ED to review each comment, and it should not be the standard in future years. One result of legislating an October 1 launch date for 2026-27 and beyond may be that the agency again declines to offer public comment. We hope that such a result can be prevented by requiring a public comment process like the one that exists for other ED forms and significant rules for the Title IV programs. The Committee may also wish to examine and strengthen the consumer testing language in Section 483(b)(2) of the HEA to ensure that it is conducted more frequently, transparently, and effectively--including by requiring information on who is involved in such testing and how it results in updates to the form. Finally, we note other legislative opportunities to increase the awareness and uptake of federal financial aid. The recipients of public and tax benefit programs--such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Earned Income Tax Credit--would benefit from receiving information about financial aid and vice versa. The FAFSA Simplification Act supported such interagency coordination to raise awareness of federal resources under Sections 483(c)(3) and 485E(c) of the HEA. Additionally, Section 485E(d) requires a public awareness campaign about Title IV aid involving entities such as institutions of higher education, organizations involved in college access and student financial aid, local educational agencies, public libraries, community centers, businesses, employers, workforce investment boards, and organizations that provide services to individuals who are or were homeless, in foster care, or are disconnected youth. However, these sections could benefit from additional requirements for these plans and campaigns, including legislative deadlines and additional funding. Again, we thank the Committee for working to fix the FAFSA. With amendments to delay the effective date and require public comment, we could support H.R. 8932, but we have concerns in its current form. Given the importance of a functional financial aid system for all students, we also hope that the FAFSA remains a nonpartisan topic and that the Committee searches for consensus on this legislation. We would be happy to discuss the bill further or provide additional information that may be useful to your efforts, including suggested legislative language. We look forward to continuing this critical conversation as you consider other legislative proposals for the FAFSA and federal financial aid. Sincerely, Bryce McKibben, Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy, The Hope Center at Temple University.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter in support from the American Council on Education, a consortium of several national college organizations that are also in support. American Council on Education, Washington, DC, July 9, 2024. Hon. Virginia Foxx, Chairwoman, Committee on Education and the Workforce, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Bobby Scott, Ranking Member, Committee on Education and Workforce, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairwoman Foxx and Ranking Member Scott: On behalf of the undersigned higher education associations, we write to offer our support for H.R. 8932, the FAFSA Deadline Act, which the committee will mark up tomorrow. This bill would move up the statutory date for the annual release of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from Jan. 1 to Oct. 1 each year. Making such a change would have significant benefits for students applying or returning to college each year and is a priority of the higher education community. Giving students additional time to fully understand the financial aid available to them is critical for a number of reasons. As we noted in our May 22, 2024, letter to your committee, ``moving the statutory deadline to October 1st would ensure that students have ample time to complete the form; give college access organizations and counselors time to support student completion; and allow institutions to process aid awards in time for students to make the best college decisions.'' This year, we have also seen the unfortunate consequences of delays in that information reaching students, with a current 11.6 percent decline in completed FAFSA applications at this point in the process. We appreciate the effort and attention your committee has paid to improving the FAFSA process and to meeting the needs of low-income students. We strongly support the FAFSA Deadline Act and encourage your members to vote for it in a bipartisan manner when it is marked up tomorrow. Sincerely, Ted Mitchell, President. On behalf of: American Association of Community Colleges. American Association of State Colleges and Universities. American Council on Educatio. Association of American Universities. Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, in closing, this bill is about improving the process going forward. Obviously, the FAFSA rollout was a debacle, but even though it was a debacle, the FAFSA Simplification Act has resulted in over half a million more students receiving financial aid. We need to make sure that students and families have the information they need to make informed decisions about their futures. Since H.R. 8932 will be implemented for next year's form, 2025 and onward, I believe it strikes the right balance between setting a clear deadline and providing the flexibility for the Department of Education to fix any lingering issues as they finish implementing the bipartisan FAFSA Simplification Act this year. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation to help ensure financial aid is distributed promptly and effectively. I look forward to continuing to improve the FAFSA form and expanding access to financial aid as originally intended in the FAFSA Simplification Act. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, as we debate H.R. 5646, Stop Campus Hazing Act, important legislation to address hazing on our college campuses, I include in the Record a letter of support for H.R. 5646 signed by parents who lost their children to hazing. March 7, 2024. Dear Member of Congress, We are writing to communicate the importance of the Stop Campus Hazing Act (S. 2901, H.R. 5646), a bill that will save lives. When our children/spouse started college we were filled with pride and excitement for what the future would bring. Never did we imagine that sending them to school meant we would never see them alive again. Instead of celebrating their graduation, we will spend the rest of our lives grieving their loss, because our loved ones were killed or seriously injured as a result of hazing. Hazing is often thought of as a harmless bonding experience, but the reality is hazing threatens students' health and safety due to its intimidating, harassing, and often violent nature (StopHazing Research Lab, 2020). The National Study of Student Hazing found that more than 55% of college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing at colleges and universities throughout the U.S. These acts can cause serious psychological, emotional, physical injuries, and death. Over the past two decades, the number of identified hazing tragedies and deaths has escalated at an alarming rate. Since 2015 Julie and Gary DeVercelly, whose son Gary DeVercelly, Jr. died as the result of a fraternity hazing ritual in 2007, have been tirelessly advocating for federal legislation that would require institutions to take action to prevent hazing incidents. We join them in urging you to support the Stop Campus Hazing Act, a bill that will help prevent other families from experiencing the loss we have endured. The Stop Campus Hazing Act requires the inclusion of hazing incidents as Clery Act crime statistics in Annual Security Reports; a publicly available transparency report that shares institutional hazing policies and identifies organizations that have violated them; and a comprehensive research-based educational programming on hazing for all stakeholders. Our families' tragedies were preventable, and the more time that goes by before federal legislation is passed, the more young people will be harmed and killed by hazing. The time is now--we urge you to support this bill in honor of our loved one and the countless others who have been harmed. Please contact Matthew.Golden@Mail. House.gov in Representative Lucy McBath's office or Max_Hurst@Klobuchar.Senate.gov in Senator Klobuchar's office to co-sponsor the Stop Campus Hazing Act. Visit the StopHazing website to learn more or contact the Executive Director of Clery Center, Jessica Mertz, with questions (jmertz@ clerycenter.org). Thank you, Patricia Strong-Fargas, (parent of Kristin High--died 9/9/ 2002 at California State University, Los Angeles); Karim Saafir, (spouse of Kenitha Saafir--died 9/9/2002 at California State University, Los Angeles); Mark Warren & Freada Warren, (parents of Clay R. Warren--died 9/21/2002 at Texas Tech University); Leslie & Michael Lanahan, (parents of Lynn Gordon Bailey (``Gordie'')--died 9/17/2004 at University of Colorado Boulder); Debbie & Greg Smith, (parents of Matthew William Carrington--died 2/2/2005 at California State University, Chico); Julie Greaves DeVercelly & Gary Louis DeVercelly, Sr., (parents of Gary Louis DeVercelly, Jr.--died 3/30/2007 at Rider University); Julie & Tim Griffin, (parents of Brett Joseph Griffin--died 11/8/2008 at University of Delaware); Julia K. & H. Scott Starkey, (parents of Carson Leonard Starkey--died 12/2/2008 at California Polytechnic State University); Marie L. Andre, (parent of George B. Desdunes--died 2/25/2011 at Cornell University); Robert G. & Pamela E. Champion, (parents of Robert Darnell Champion--died 11/19/2011 at Florida A&M University); Dionne & Steven Williams, (parents of Jauwan Mikal Holmes--died 4/20/2013 at Virginia State University); Debbie & Danny Debrick, (parents of Dalton Debrick--died 8/24/2014 at Texas Tech University); Cindy & Gary Hipps, (parents of Tucker W. Hipps--died 9/22/ 2014 at Clemson University); Theron J. & Kimberly A. Burch, (parents of Nolan M. Burch--died 11/14/2014 at West Virginia University); Sandy & Tom Coffey, (parents of Andrew Coffey-- died 11/3/2017 at Florida State University); Daphne Beletsis and Yvonne Rainey, (parents of Alex Beletsis--died 6/20/2018 at U.C. Santa Cruz); Kathleen & Wade Wiant, (parents of Collin Wiant--died 11/12/2018 at Ohio University); Flavia Tomasello & John Tsialas, (parents of Antonio Tsialas--died 10/24/2019 at Cornell University); Jolayne Houtz & Hector Martinez, (parents of Sam Martinez--died 11/12/2019 at Washington State University); Eric & Linda Oaks, (parents of Adam Jeffrey Oakes--died 2/27/2021 at Virginia Commonwealth University); Shad & Cory Foltz, (parents of Stone Justin Foltz--died 3/7/2021 at Bowling Green State University); Tracey & Kirk Hazelwood, (parents of Thomas Lofton Hazelwood--died 10/18/2021 at University of Kentucky); Thomas & Mary Pat Santulli, (parents of Danny Santulli--critically injured 10/19/2021 at University of Missouri).

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 4259, the Think Differently about Education Act. The bill requires schools to notify parents of their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Parents can invite experts with specialized knowledge of their child to attend the child's individualized education program meeting. This is important because key decisions are being made about their child's education in this meeting. This proposal actually restates present law, but it ensures that parents are aware of and can exercise a right they have under current law. However, I want to make it clear that I am not advocating for further amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act at this time. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill and encourage my colleagues to do the same, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, the Think Differently about Education Act is a bipartisan bill that requires schools to notify parents of their right under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to bring an expert with specialized knowledge or expertise regarding their child to individualized education program meetings. While parents clearly have this right under current law, they might not always be appropriately informed about their rights. This legislation ensures that parents will know that they can include experts who can assist them in shaping an IEP that meets the student's individual needs. Mr. Speaker, I support the bill and encourage my colleagues to support it as well. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, extracurricular groups, athletic teams, and on-campus organizations are formed to serve common objectives while providing a safe and welcoming environment for students. However, hazing is a dangerous and yet all-too-common practice that runs counter to the values of these organizations and threatens student health and safety. Too many lives have already been lost because of hazing, including one in my State of Virginia. In 2021, Adam Oakes, a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University, tragically died because of an alcohol-related hazing incident at a fraternity. Regrettably, since 2000, there have been over 100 hazing-related deaths on college campuses nationally. The fact is that nothing can lessen the agony of losing a child or a friend. However, I am hopeful that from these tragedies, Congress can step in and help students and families avoid future tragedies. We are here today because of the tireless advocacy of families and friends who have lost loved ones from hazing. For years, these families have worked to advance State and Federal policies to end hazing and protect students. Some of those families have joined us in the gallery today. The bipartisan Stop Campus Hazing Act, H.R. 5646, would protect students from hazing on college campuses by improving reporting and prevention standards. Specifically, it mandates that colleges and universities report hazing occurrences in their annual Clery reports, the incidents of crime reports, establishes campus-wide anti-hazing education programs and increases transparency about past hazing incidents so students can make informed decisions about joining campus organizations. Taken together, these policies create a roadmap for a cultural shift in hazing on our campuses that will save students' lives. I thank the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath) and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan) for their leadership on this issue. I support H.R. 5646 and encourage my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath), the lead sponsor on the legislation.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath).

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following letters of support. One is from the Clery Center and the StopHazing organization, along with a list of endorsing organizations, including the National Association of Clery Compliance Officers and Professionals, the American College Health Association, the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated, which represents the Divine Nine, NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, and another letter from the Anti-Hazing Coalition, which includes a number of hazing victims' families, the Hazing Prevention Network, the National Panhellenic Conference, and the North American Interfraternity Conference. Clery Center, Stop Hazing, September 23, 2024. Hon. Mike Johnson, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries: On behalf of StopHazing and Clery Center, we are writing to express our strong support for H.R. 5646, the Stop Campus Hazing Act, and to urge its swift passage. This bipartisan legislation offers a critical opportunity to address the persistent issue of hazing, a practice that continues to threaten the health, safety, and well-being of students on college campuses across the United States. Hazing remains a deeply troubling problem in our higher education system. More than half of college students involved in co-curricular activities like athletic teams, fraternities, sororities, and other campus groups experience hazing, according to the National Study of Student Hazing. Even more concerning is the fact that many incidents go unreported, with students feeling pressured to remain silent due to the social dynamics that reinforce these harmful traditions. Tragically, since 2000, college hazing has led to more than 100 student deaths; countless physical injuries, and psychological damage from the abusive behavior. These realities highlight the urgency of adopting meaningful reforms to end these senseless practices. The Stop Campus Hazing Act represents a crucial step toward preventing hazing and protecting students from harm. This legislation includes several critical provisions, including a requirement for colleges and universities to improve transparency by reporting hazing incidents in their Annual Security Reports, commonly known as Clery Reports. This step will make hazing incidents more visible and hold institutions accountable for how they handle hazing cases. The bill also mandates the implementation of campus-wide, research-based hazing prevention programs designed to address root causes of hazing, equip students with the tools to intervene as bystanders, and ultimately prevent these dangerous behaviors before they occur. In addition to improving accountability and prevention, the Stop Campus Hazing Act promotes transparency for students and parents by requiring institutions to publicly disclose their hazing prevention policies and any organizations that have been found in violation of these policies. Such transparency is essential for students and families to make informed decisions when considering membership in campus organizations. By ensuring all parties have access to this vital information, we can empower students and their families to make safer, more informed choices and create an environment where hazing is no longer tolerated. This legislation is the product of years of bipartisan cooperation and expert input from national campus safety advocates, fraternities and sororities, and families who have tragically lost loved ones to hazing. It incorporates elements from two previous bills, the Report and Educate About Campus Hazing (REACH) Act and END ALL Hazing Act, and has been thoroughly vetted by stakeholders and experts including researchers who have documented the harmful and far-reaching consequences of hazing. As such, the Stop Campus Hazing Act has garnered support from a broad coalition of organizations dedicated to campus safety and student well- being. We commend the House Committee on Education and the Workforce for advancing this important bill. It is now imperative the full House considers and passes H.R. 5646 without delay. Doing so will send a strong message that student safety is a priority and that we are committed to preventing the senseless tragedies caused by hazing. A decades-long journey for many grieving families, H.R. 5646 provides an actionable framework to address hazing on college campuses, and its passage will mark a significant victory for student safety, educational integrity, consumer protection, and prevention. We stand ready to support these efforts and to work with you and your colleagues to ensure no more students suffer from hazing. On behalf of these groups, and the students and families who have endured harm and tragedy from hazing, we urge Members to vote in favor of H.R. 5646 to ensure this lifesaving legislation moves forward. Sincerely, Elizabeth J. Allan, Ph.D., Principal, StopHazing. Jessica A. Mertz, Executive Director, Clery Center. Organizations and Associations Endorsing the Stop Campus Hazing Act: Active Minds, AHA! Movement, American College Health Association (ACHA), Anti-Hazing Coalition, Antonio Tsialas Leadership Foundation, Association of Big Ten Students, Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA), Behavioral Health Foundation, Clery Center, College Safety Coalition, End Rape On Campus, God Bless the Child Productions, LLC, Guardian Angel Community, Servcies-Sexual Assault Service Center, Hazing Prevention Network, HazingInfo.org, Holmes Murphy Fraternal Practice, iamstonefoltz FOUNDATION, International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), It's On Us, Love Like Adam Foundation, MacKay & Associates, Mount Carmel College of Nursing, Mt Salem Missionary Baptist Church, National Association of Clery Compliance Officers and Professionals (NACCOP), NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA), Natonal Panhellenic Conference, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc., National Women's Law Center, NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation, NMB Foundation, North American Interfraternity Conference, Protect Students Abroad, Robert D. Champion Drum Major for Change Foundation, Inc., SAFE Campuses, LLC, Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA), SNAPPED: The Podcast, Soteria Solutions, Steward Tilghman Fox Bianchi & Cain, P.A., Stockton University-Athletics and Recreation, StopHazing, The Fierberg National Law Group, PLLC, Tucker W. Hipps Memorial Foundation, Viisights Inc., VTV Family Outreach Foundation, ZeroNow.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I also include in the Record letters of support from the Clery Center on behalf of Connie Clery and the Clery family, and from Safe Campuses, LLC, to support changing the name of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act. Clery Center, Fort Washington, PA, August 27, 2024. Dear Members of Congress: On behalf of Clery Center, Connie Clery, and the Clery family, I am writing to express our strong support for renaming the ``Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act'' to the ``Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act.'' We believe this revised name more accurately reflects the broad scope and intent of the legislation, and we urge Congress to support this change. Since its enactment, the Clery Act has served as a cornerstone in the effort to improve campus safety across the United States. As a consumer protection law, it provides the transparency and accountability that families and students deserve. The law's requirements, which include the disclosure of campus crime statistics, the implementation of safety policies, and the provision of timely warnings, have significantly contributed to the safety and well-being of students, faculty, and staff on college campuses. Over the years, the Clery Act's role has expanded beyond the mere disclosure of statistics and encompasses a comprehensive approach to preventing and responding to crime on campus. The term ``Campus Safety'' encapsulates this broader mission and better communicates the law's purpose to all stakeholders, including students, parents, campus administrators, and law enforcement. We also believe the name change will foster greater collaboration and encourage more robust administrative support on campuses. Most importantly, this change would continue to honor Jeanne Clery's legacy in a meaningful way. The tragedy that befell Jeanne inspired a movement that has undoubtedly saved countless lives, and this updated title would reflect the ongoing impact of her legacy on campus communities nationwide. We respectfully request that you consider supporting this change. Thank you for your continued dedication to improving campus safety and for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, Jessica A. Mertz, Executive Director.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, the Stop Campus Hazing Act addresses hazing as a campus safety issue, and updating the name is better reflective of that focus. Mr. Speaker, we have an obligation to ensure that every student has access to a safe learning environment. Today, with this legislation, we ensure that students and parents will better understand the culture and dangers of hazing on college campuses. As a result, I believe that H.R. 5646 is an important step forward to protect the health, safety, and future of our students. Again, I thank Representatives McBath and Duncan for their leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, we received a letter from the Association of Public & Land Grant Universities, which says, in part, the bill's ``purported solutions would radically undermine First Amendment jurisprudence, threatening the ability of public universities to ensure State property can be used for its intended educational purposes, and represents an astonishing level of Federal intrusion in matters traditionally respected as the purview of States and State entities.'' We received another letter from the ACLU, which says, in part, ``H.R. 3724 purportedly prohibits: partisan, political, ideological, social, cultural, or political viewpoints and beliefs; the disparate treatment of any individual or group of individuals on the basis of any protected class under Federal civil rights law; and violation of any right protected by the U.S. Constitution. In reality, H.R. 3724 would encourage these unlawful actions by permitting postsecondary institutions to eliminate curricula that covers historical contributions and lived experiences of some racial and ethnic groups while continuing such curriculum of other groups.'' Mr. Chair, I include in the Record letters from the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities and the American Civil Liberties Union. Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities, Washington, DC, September 16, 2024. Hon. Mike Johnson, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader Jeffries: As president of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), a membership association of more than 230 public research universities and systems, I write to express APLU's strong opposition to Title II of H.R. 3724, the ``End Woke Higher Education Act,'' which is expected to be considered on the House Floor this week. Title II contains the text of the Respecting the First Amendment on Campus Act, provisions of which are predominantly aimed at state entities given the application of the First Amendment to public institutions. While APLU appreciates goals of the legislation to ensure public colleges and universities are upholding their obligations under the First Amendment and fostering learning environments in which students are exposed to a variety of perspectives, its purported solutions would radically undermine First Amendment jurisprudence, threatening the ability of public universities to ensure state property can be used for its intended educational purposes, and represents an astonishing level of federal intrusion in matters traditionally respected as the purview of states and state entities. Further, the timing of the legislation is particularly perplexing given the enormous challenges public universities faced in the spring and continue to face as targets from outside organizations seeking to sow campus unrest to generate global attention. The legislation would be a major boon to such organizations by making it substantially more difficult for public universities to preserve its property for intended educational uses while protecting the rights of the vast majority of campus communities simply seeking to receive an education, further scientific advancement, and fully enjoy the enriching experiences afforded on public university campuses. The legislation would also raise the need for institutions to direct substantial resources to administration rather than in support of students, including exposing state institutions to new threats from unscrupulous lawyers seeking paydays from state coffers through the legislation's waiver of state sovereign immunity and creation of new private rights of action. The First Amendment combined with case law provides deep protections for free speech and association on campuses of public universities, while enabling institutions to put in place reasonable, viewpoint neutral restrictions to protect public safety and speakers while enabling their higher education mission. While some aspects of the legislation related to designated public forums reinforce precedent within some circuits, not all circuit courts have adopted such standards. As such, the bill would treat all public university outdoor property as if it was traditional public fora like a town square or the quintessential public university ``quad.'' However, public institutions own and maintain an incredible diversity of property including hospitals, bus stations, agricultural field stations, athletics fields, sewage plants, parking lots, residence halls, forests, nature preserves, museums, etc. We find it highly unusual that Congress would insert itself into the designation of state property in ways it would likely never consider for other non-federal public lands. APLU is also concerned with the manner in which the legislation will drive up legal expenses of institutions, diverting resources that could otherwise be devoted in furtherance of public universities' education, research, and community engagement missions. For example, creating new private rights of action and conditioning participation in Title IV federal student aid programs on waiving state sovereign immunity are deeply concerning. Additionally, the legislation contains incredibly harsh penalties of loss of Title IV eligibility for what could be unintentional infractions due to ambiguities with the bill's extremely prescriptive standards. APLU questions the need for such penalties, waivers of sovereign immunity, and creation of private rights of action as the First Amendment provides adequate protections for free speech on campus and judicial remedies for institutional noncompliance. As public institutions, campuses have obligations to ensure students and campus communities more broadly have exposure to an array of speakers and events that further an educational mission, including the arts and sciences. Public universities receive countless requests for use of their facilities, including from outside organizations, speakers, and candidates for public office. As part of allowing public university campus property to be used by outside organizations, institutions must assess fees to recover costs, including security fees. The legislation would preclude an institution from taking into consideration ``an anticipated reaction by students or the public'' as part of determining a security fee. This provision is particularly dangerous. Public universities can reasonably anticipate a greater security need in hosting a controversial public figure or provocative fringe organization than say a mundane scientific conference of physicians. With this provision and especially combined with provisions creating new legal exposures, public universities would be faced with an impossible choice of providing inadequate security creating threats to public safety or having events bankrupt public university budgets. As like other provisions of the legislation, this would make public university campuses even greater targets of outside provocateurs who under the bill can pass along the financial costs of their events to state taxpayers. Lastly, APLU is concerned by numerous provisions of the legislation that micromanage state university policies at the federal level, needlessly overriding the judgments of states and institutional leaders. For example, prescriptive standards in the legislation regarding governance of student organization policies override the discretion of campus administrators who are best positioned to know the needs of their communities. APLU urges members of Congress to oppose the legislation and instead work with the public university community on legislation that better addresses policymaker concerns without such deeply troublesome unintended consequences. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Mark Becker, President, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.