H.R. 9611 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Education and Workforce, Jul 9, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryMoves college programs to Labor Department
This bill would move several federal programs that help with college access and completion from the Department of Education to the Department of Labor. It would transfer programs like TRIO (which helps low-income students prepare for and succeed in college) and others, along with the staff and money that run them. The bill would also end four older college assistance programs.
How it affects you
Students who use federal college access programs may see changes in how those programs are managed and delivered, since they'd now be run by the Labor Department instead of the Education Department. The official summary doesn't specify how this shift would change the actual benefits or services students receive.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jul 9, 2026)
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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionH. R. 9611
A BILL
Less Bureaucracy, Better Higher Education Act
Sponsor: Rep. Mark Harris (R-NC-8) · Introduced Jul 9, 2026 · Education · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 15, 2026: “Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 16.”
Sections
Sections · 11
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2Transfer of Department of Education functions related to certain postsecondary education programsNo change
- Sec. 3Exercise of authoritiesNo change
- Sec. 4Transfer and allocations of appropriations and personnelNo change
- Sec. 5Authority of Director of the Office of Management and Budget with respect to functions transferredNo change
- Sec. 6Delegation and assignmentNo change
- Sec. 7ReferencesNo change
- Sec. 8Savings provisionsNo change
- Sec. 9TransitionNo change
- Sec. 10Definition of functionNo change
- Sec. 11Effective dateNo change