The Republican Sweep And Higher Education
By Julianne Malveaux

A full month after the November debacle, political pundits are still deconstructing the Democrat's embarrassing loss at the polls. While the Republican "sweep" could hardly be called a mandate (some Senate races were decided by fractions of a percentage point), the outcome is that the Republicans hold a "trifecta," if you will, or control of the White House, the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. There are no legislative checks and balances on the Republican agenda. Democrats may console themselves by saying that Republicans will now have to take responsibility for their actions, but they can do a lot of damage while they take responsibility.

Higher education may be a case in point. Both houses of Congress are gearing up for funding reauthorization of programs in the Higher Education Act, which will expire during the 108th Congress. With funding provided through 2003, everything is up for grabs in 2004. The size and awarding of Pell Grants, rules governing student loans, funds to support HBCUs (now funded at $361 million) and Hispanic-serving institutions (now funded at $86 million), issues of merit scholarships, taxation of student aid, distance education, college costs and prices, will all be discussed. With dozens of higher education organizations weighing in with their positions, with their lobbyists and advisory committees gearing up with special reports, it is likely that hearings will be both lengthy and impactful.

Leadership of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) will pass from Sen. Edward Kennedy's, D-Mass., hands probably to the ranking Republican member, Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H. In addition to his role on the Senate HELP Committee, Gregg serves on several appropriations subcommittees and is the ranking Republican on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce. Gregg's record on education matters seems inoffensive. His official biography says he has "long been committed to improving the educational system in our country through greater accountability and expanded educational opportunities for all students, particularly those most in need." He seems more focused on K-12 issues than higher education, and was a key player in Bush's Leave No Child Behind Act.