Republican candidate
Former President Donald Trump beat out Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidential election on Wednesday, snagging crucial battleground states such as Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Republican candidates in the Senate, though, won at least three seats to take the majority in the 119th Congress. But the makeup of the House-which is currently controlled by Republicans-has not yet been declared.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., is now the ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and would, therefore, be likely to be that committee’s leader in the 119th Congress. Leadership elections in the chamber could begin as soon as next week.
It will make a whole world of difference in the way federal policymaking works. For example, if Republicans were able to hold a thin House majority, they would have unified control of the White House and Congress and thus would possess tools, including the Congressional Review Act and budget reconciliation, which allow certain laws to be enacted with a simple majority vote in both chambers of Congress. A split government, in case the Democrats win the House, will make it tougher for the Senate to pass legislation with some backing from Democrats in both chambers and will force the parties to work out their differences over the budget.
There are no specific policy measures related to student loan debt forgiveness or repealing the Biden administration’s proposed student debt relief laws mentioned in Trump’s platform.
Significantly, in early October, the Biden administration issued proposed rules to cancel student loans for those who are struggling. A Trump administration could choose not to publish final rules blocking that part of the Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness plan from taking effect.
To that end, NASFAA has compiled a report on what to expect from a second Trump administration when it comes to student financial aid, based on past actions and publicly stated positions.
NASFAA leaders also weigh in on possible election-related implications, and describe how the nonpartisan organization crafts its advocacy positions and pushes its agenda on Capitol Hill in this episode of the “Off the Cuff” podcast.
For more information on the presidential transition and how it could affect student financial assistance, listen to Today’s News.
