H.R. 9611
Less Bureaucracy, Better Higher Education Act
Sponsor: Mark Harris · 1 cosponsor
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Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
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.
Text of the bill
(a) Transfers. There are transferred to the Secretary of Labor (acting through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor) all the functions which the Secretary of Education exercised before the effective date of this Act (including all related functions of any officer or employee of the Department of Education) with respect to each of the following:
(1) The Augustus F. Hawkins Center of Excellence Program authorized under subpart 2 of part B of title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1033 et seq.).
(2) The Strengthening Institutions programs authorized under part A of title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1057 et seq.), other than sections 316, 317, 319, and 320.
(3) The Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program authorized under part B of title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1060 et seq.), and for which amounts are made available under section 371 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1067q).
(4) The Historically Black College and University Capital Financing program authorized under part D of title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1066 et seq.).
(5) The Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program authorized under part E of title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067 et seq.).
(6) The Hispanic-serving institutions-Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics and Articulation Program authorized under section 371(b)(2)(B) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(b)(2)(B)).
(7) The Federal TRIO Programs authorized under chapter 1 of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 et seq.).
(8) The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs authorized under chapter 2 of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a et seq.).
(9) The Special Programs for Students whose Families are Engaged in Migrant and Seasonal Farmwork authorized under subpart 5 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070d–2).
(10) The functions authorized under title V of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
(11) The Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need program authorized under subpart 2 of part A of title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1135 et seq.).
(12) The Masters Degree Programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions authorized under subpart 4 of part A of title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1136a et seq.).
(13) The Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education program authorized under part B of title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1138 et seq.).
(14) Demonstration Projects to Ensure Students with Disabilities Receive a Quality Higher Education program authorized under subpart 1 of part D of title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1140a et seq.).
(15) The Model Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities authorized under subpart 2 of part D of title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1140f et seq.).
(16) National Technical Assistance Center; Coordinating Center authorized under subpart 4 of part D of title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1140p et seq.).
(17) The Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success program authorized under part T of title VIII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1161t).
(18) The Modeling and Simulation Program authorized under part V of title VIII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1161v).
(19) All functions under laws relating to the relationship between the Department of Education and Howard University.
(20) Projects overseen by the Office of Postsecondary Education that the Secretary of Education determines are congressionally funded community projects.
(b) Repeals. The Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) is amended by repealing each of the following:
(1) The Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program authorized under subpart 4 of part A of title IV (20 U.S.C. 1070c et seq.).
(2) The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program authorized under subpart 6 of part A of title IV (20 U.S.C. 1070d–31 et seq.).
(3) The College Access Challenge Grant Program authorized under part E of title VII (20 U.S.C. 1141).
(4) The Project Grad program authorized under part A of title VIII (20 U.S.C. 1161a).