Skip to content
PoliTrackerPrototype - alpha version 0.1
← Policies

Proposed

Bill · 119th Congress · HR 9603

Less Bureaucracy, Better International Education Oversight Act

Refreshed 2 h ago

Introduced 2026-07-09Topic: higher education · governance ethics

Summary

Summary by the Congressional Research Service

Less Bureaucracy, Better International Education Oversight Act This bill transfers specified functions relating to international and foreign language studies programs from the Department of Education (ED) to the Department of State. Specifically, the bill transfers to the State Department all the functions and authorities exercised by ED before the bill's effective date related to international education programs in higher education (e.g., programs including National Resource Centers, Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships, and International Research and Studies) and the Fulbright-Hays Program. (On November 18, 2025, ED announced an interagency agreement with the State Department for the State Department to manage competitions, provide technical assistance, and integrate ED's programs with the State Department's existing programs, while ED must maintain its statutory responsibilities and program oversight.) The bill also repeals the Institute for International Public Policy. Additionally, the bill transfers to the State Department 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 State Department 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 effective date.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

Action history

DateChamberActionStatus effect
2026-07-15HouseOrdered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 16.refer
2026-07-15HouseCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Heldrefer
2026-07-09HouseReferred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.refer
2026-07-09HouseReferred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.refer
2026-07-09Introduced in Houseintroduce
2026-07-09Introduced in Houseintroduce
Source: GovInfo Bill Status (Library of Congress), fetched 2026-09-30. Provisions and opinion polling arrive in a later release.