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S. 848 117th Congress Senate

Consider Teachers Act of 2021

Official title: A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 in order to improve the service obligation verification process for TEACH Grant recipients, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 23, 2021 See on congress.gov
Education Administrative remediesCardiovascular and respiratory healthDepartment of EducationEducation of the disadvantaged
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Education programs fundingElementary and secondary educationEmergency medical services and trauma careGovernment lending and loan guaranteesHigher educationInfectious and parasitic diseasesInterest, dividends, interest ratesNational and community servicePersonnel recordsStudent aid and college costsTeaching, teachers, curricula
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 Everywhere this bill has been 19 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 13, 2021
Became Public Law No: 117-49.
Oct 13, 2021
Signed by President.
Oct 4, 2021
Presented to President.
Sep 28, 2021
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 28, 2021
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 - 16 (Roll no. 302). (text: CR 7/26/2021 H3851-3852)
Sep 28, 2021
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5496)
Jul 26, 2021
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Jul 26, 2021
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 848.
Jul 26, 2021
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3851-3854)
Jul 26, 2021
Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Apr 28, 2021
Held at the desk.
Apr 28, 2021
Received in the House.
Apr 28, 2021
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Apr 27, 2021
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S2246-2247)
Apr 27, 2021
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S2246-2247)
Apr 27, 2021
Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2246-2247)
Apr 27, 2021
Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S2246-2247)
Mar 18, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Mar 18, 2021
Introduced in Senate
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Sep 28, 2021 House · vote #302 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Passed 406–16 See who voted →
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 Latest action October 13, 2021

Became Public Law No: 117-49.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Consider Teachers Act of 2021

This bill revises the service obligation verification process for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant program. The TEACH program awards grants to postsecondary students who commit to teaching for four years in high-need subjects in low-income schools. In addition, the bill establishes certain program flexibilities with respect to the service obligations of teachers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Specifically, the bill provides a process for the Department of Education (ED) to reconsider and reverse the conversion of a TEACH grant to a loan. Under current program terms, TEACH grants are converted into loan obligations if service requirements are not met.

In addition, the bill directs ED to notify TEACH grant recipients of the requirements for submitting employment certifications. ED must also provide an alternative to certification.

ED must maintain and annually update a list of qualifying schools and high-need fields.

The bill also provides certain program flexibilities with respect to the service obligations of teachers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the bill (1) extends the service obligation window for TEACH grants, and (2) requires ED to consider teaching service that is interrupted as a result of a qualifying emergency as full-time service for purposes of Federal Perkins Loans.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 2048 Identical bill Consider Teachers Act of 2021
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 4
All 4 Democratic 2 Republican 1
D
Warnock, Raphael G.
Georgia · Apr 27, 2021
 R
Cornyn, John
Texas · Mar 23, 2021
 D
Smith, Tina
Minnesota · Mar 23, 2021
Sinema, Kyrsten
· Mar 18, 2021
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 848: Consider Teachers Act of 2021. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-848/
MLA
"S. 848: Consider Teachers Act of 2021." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-848/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 848, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-848/.
Markdown link
[S. 848: Consider Teachers Act of 2021](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-848/)
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