Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (Nev.-03) released a list of priorities for which she is advocating in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a bill that would fund the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the NDAA’s final passage this week.
In her list of priorities, Rep. Lee outlined Amendments 255 and 257 to the NDAA, which she led. These amendments would protect students, especially our students serving our country, from unscrupulous institutions of higher education. Amendment 255 would prohibit any institution of higher education, or other postsecondary educational institution, from using revenues derived from DOD education assistance funds for advertising, marketing, or recruiting. Amendment 257 would create a system for tracking complaints of suspicious activity—such as unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices—against institutions of higher education and student loan services. The latter amendment would also establish an office to keep track of complaints.
Rep. Lee first proposed these amendments as provisions in the Preventing Risky Operations from Threatening the Education and Career Trajectories of Students Act (PROTECT Students Act), which she introduced in June 2019.
“As a lifelong education advocate, I always find opportunities to fight for our students, especially our students serving our country,” said Rep. Lee. “This is why I led two NDAA amendments to protect our veteran students from unscrupulous colleges and universities. Too often, veterans with GI Bill assistance are targeted by unscrupulous schools trying to make a quick buck at their expense. My first amendment would protect DOD education assistance funds from being used by colleges and universities for advertising, marketing, and recruiting. DOD funds for education should help students in the classroom, not go to flashy PR campaigns. My second amendment would create a system and office for any student to report unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices by colleges, universities, and student loan servicers. I’m proud to continue the endless fight for our students as Congress considers the NDAA.”