WASHINGTON – This morning, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined Senator Richard Burr (R-N.C.) as an original cosponsor of S. 559 – The Supporting Academic Freedom through Regulatory Relief Act. The bill would repeal harmful regulations from the Obama administration that would be detrimental to colleges in Nebraska and across the country. Senator Fischer released the following statement today regarding the bill: 

“Once again the federal government is trying to micromanage how local institutions run their operations. I’ve heard from teachers and staff at colleges throughout Nebraska who are concerned that these complex requirements would increase tuition costs for students and negatively impact K-12 programs in underserved communities. Our legislation would prohibit the Department of Education from issuing these regulations and ensure that our education programs are not saddled with burdensome federal red tape.” 

Dr. Debra Ponec, chair of the Creighton University Education Department, released the following statement: 

“Senator Fischer listened to our concerns and understood how the proposed federal regulations could adversely impact Pre-K-12 and higher education. I am most pleased that she joined Senator Burr of North Carolina as a cosponsor of the Supporting Academic Freedom through Regulatory Relief Act.” 

In 2014, the Department of Education released a set of proposed regulations that would affect schools and their teacher preparation programs. These requirements would impose a complex set of regulations tying federal grant money to student performance. This overreach would negatively affect how teachers are trained and how they perform in the classroom. The Supporting Academic Freedom through Regulatory Relief Act would delay these damaging regulations until Congress passes the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. 

Click here to view the text of S. 559 – The Supporting Academic Freedom through Regulatory Relief Act.