H.R. 9609: Less Bureaucracy, Better Student Aid Act

119th Congress · introduced 2026-07-09 · Education · Latest: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 16.

federal

What does this mean?

Official title

Less Bureaucracy, Better Student Aid Act

Plain summary

Less Bureaucracy, Better Student Aid Act This bill transfers specified functions relating to federal student aid from the Department of Education (ED) to the Department of the Treasury. Specifically, the bill transfers to Treasury all the functions and authorities exercised by ED related to servicing and collections of defaulted federal student loan debt, servicing of non-defaulted federal student loan debt, and other specified programs (e.g., Federal Pell Grants and Federal Direct Loans). ED and Treasury must jointly determine effective dates for these transfers in accordance with the bill's requirements. (On March 19, 2026, ED announced an interagency agreement with Treasury for Treasury to assume operational responsibility for collecting on defaulted federal student loans, while ED must maintain its statutory responsibilities.) Additionally, the bill transfers to Treasury 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 Treasury 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. The bill also terminates the authority to exempt delinquent or defaulted federal student loans from the Debt Collection Improvement Act.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Less Bureaucracy, Better Student Aid Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-5] · 1 cosponsors

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Words on this page, explained (4)

Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Exemption: A rule that removes certain people, property or activities from a tax or requirement.
Statute: A written law passed by a legislature. A statute can be changed by a later law; changing a constitution needs an amendment.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-119hr9609.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/119/hr>

Record fed-us-cong119-hr9609 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong119 · updated 2026-11-03 by psicol fed-bills