[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 101 (Monday, June 1, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H2361-H2362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF RULE SUBMITTED BY DEPARTMENT 
       OF EDUCATION RELATING TO ``BORROWER DEFENSE INSTITUTIONAL 
ACCOUNTABILITY''--VETO MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 
                         (H. DOC. NO. 116-131)

  The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following veto 
message from the President of the United States:

To the House of Representatives:
  I am returning herewith without my approval H.J. Res. 76, a joint 
resolution that would undermine the efforts of my Administration to 
protect students and taxpayers by nullifying the Borrower Defense 
Institutional Accountability Regulation, which the Department of 
Education published in the Federal Register on September 23, 2019, 
following extensive public hearings and public comment.
  The Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability rule sets forth 
clear standards for borrower defense to repayment, providing needed 
transparency to both students and schools. Under this rule, a fair 
process will deliver deserved relief to students harmed by their 
educational institutions. Whereas the last administration promoted a 
regulatory environment that produced precipitous school closures and 
stranded students, this new rule puts the needs of students first, 
extends the window during which they can qualify for loan discharge, 
and encourages schools to provide students with opportunities to 
complete their educations and continue their pursuit of economic 
success. H.J. Res. 76 would return the country to a regulatory regime 
in which the Federal Government and State attorneys general, rather 
than students, determine the kinds of education students need and which 
schools they should be allowed to attend.

[[Page H2362]]

  American higher education must transform to better meet the needs of 
today's students. My Administration stands ready to work with the 
Congress to foster the development of a more affordable, more flexible, 
and more innovative system of higher education that is better able to 
meet the educational needs of our students, and in which schools take 
on more responsibility for the success of the students who enroll in 
their programs.
  H.J. Res. 76 is a misguided resolution that would increase costs for 
American students and undermine their ability to make choices about 
their education in order to best meet their needs. For these reasons, 
it is my duty to return H.J. Res. 76 to the House of Representatives 
without my approval.
                                                     Donald J. Trump.  
                                         The White House, May 29, 2020.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The objection of the President will be 
spread at large upon the Journal, and the veto message and the joint 
resolution will be printed as a House document.
  Pursuant to section 3 of House Resolution 981, further consideration 
of the veto message and the joint resolution will be postponed until 
Wednesday, July 1, 2020.

                          ____________________