Education

Rep. Porter Introduces Bills Expanding Free Meals for Students

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Today, Representative Katie Porter (D-CA) introduced two bills to strengthen free meal programs for students across the country. The No Hungry Kids in Schools Act, co-led by Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA), would allow states to provide free meals to all schools in eligible districts, saving families money and reducing the time parents and individual schools spend dealing with…

Rep. Katie Porter Introduces Bill to Provide Nutritious Food to More Students

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WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA) has introduced legislation to expand a federal program that helps schools provide no-cost meals to students without forcing parents to spend hours filling out paperwork. The No Hungry Kids in Schools Act, which is co-led by Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA), will save families money and reduce the time-consuming and expensive…

Rep. Katie Porter Renews Legislative Push to Better Protect Student Borrowers

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Tags: Education

WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA) today reintroduced a slate of bills to boost accountability in higher education. The CFPB Student Loan Integrity and Transparency Act, co-led by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), would restore critical oversight powers to the top government official responsible for assisting student borrowers, while the Accountability in…

Rep. Porter Reintroduces Legislation to Meet Students’ Mental Health Needs

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Tags: Education

Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA), along with Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT) and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), reintroduced legislation to protect the rights of students struggling with mental health challenges. The Student Mental Health Rights Act would require the Secretary of Education to study student mental health and campus policies and, in consultation with the…

Reps. Porter, Lee, and Hayes Relaunch College Affordability Caucus

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Tags: Education

Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45), alongside Congresswomen Susie Lee (NV-03) and Jahana Hayes (CT-05), relaunched the College Affordability Caucus. The group spearheads policies that will drive down the sticker price of higher education.  In relaunching the caucus, Porter hosted a briefing with members and Caitlin Zaloom, an expert on the financial challenges that students and…

Rep. Porter, Sen. Harris Blast Trump Administration for Failing to Plan for Safe Reopening of Schools

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Tags: Education

U.S. Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) and U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (CA) today blasted the Trump Administration for failing to communicate a plan to school districts on how to reopen safely ahead of the upcoming academic year. The two demanded that the Administration develop clear and concise standards that include the input of health experts, teachers, parents, and students to help…

Rep. Porter Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Provide Student Borrower Relief for Perkins Loan Holders

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Tags: Education

WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) today introduced bipartisan legislation with Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03), Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), and Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) that would expand the reach of the student borrower protections included in the CARES Act. The COVID–19 Perkins Loan Relief Act would allow the nearly 2…

Rep. Porter Introduces Bill to Increase Oversight of Fraudulent For-Profit Universities

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Tags: Education

WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) has introduced legislation that would crack down on predatory for-profit universities. Porter’s bill empowers federal watchdogs to investigate fraudulent schools that cheat students when those institutions face financial downturns, as Western State College of Law did earlier this year. “It’s unacceptable that scam artists have free license to…

Rep. Porter Introduces Legislation to Protect Students Mental Health Rights

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Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) today introduced legislation to protect students struggling with mental health challenges. The Student Mental Health Rights Act would ensure that mental health policies on college campuses are consistent with existing federal guidelines. “Too many students across the country who face mental health challenges find themselves dealing with an additional…

Rep. Porter Introduces Bill to Improve Data on Student Loan Defaults

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Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) has introduced legislation that would improve reporting requirements for universities on the number of their graduates who can’t repay their student loans. Under the current system, institutions can artificially deflate the number of individuals who default on their loans and escape accountability. “If a large number of school’s graduates can’t repay…