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 Student Loan Data Act would... Read more »

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 Assistant Attorney ... Read more »

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 families face trying... Read more »

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 schools ... Read more »

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 million borro... Read more »

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 take adva... Read more »

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 burden of un... Read more »

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 their studen... Read more »

Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) and Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Chairman of the Government Operations subcommittee, today demanded answers from Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos following a recent report that the Department, under her leadership, has denied 99 percent of public service workers the debt relief that they earned. Porter was joined in her request by 46 House colleagues. “T... Read more »

Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) today led 18 of her House colleagues to call on the U.S. Department of Education not to withhold federal student aid from Californians receiving online education offered by out-of-state institutions. The Department had previously threatened to pull aid from California students, but the state proposed a new plan to comply with the Department’s newly implemented re... Read more »