United States 119th Congress Status: In Committee 1 R cosponsors

HR 9603 — Less Bureaucracy, Better International Education Oversight Act

Last action — Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 16.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced July 09, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.

Prognosis

Stalled 16% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill aims to simplify oversight of international education programs.

This legislation seeks to reduce bureaucratic processes related to international education. It focuses on improving efficiency in how these programs are overseen.

Summary

Less Bureaucracy, Better International Education Oversight ActThis 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.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

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Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill transfers oversight of international education and foreign language programs from the Department of Education to the Department of State and repeals specific related provisions.

  • 20 U.S.C. § 1131

    Part C of title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.)

    The Institute for International Public Policy is repealed.

  • 20 U.S.C. § 1121

    transfer to the Secretary of State all the functions which the Secretary of Education exercised before the effective date of this Act.

    The functions regarding international education programs are moved from the Department of Education to the Department of State.

  • 22 U.S.C. § 2452

    The Fulbright-Hays program authorized under section 102(b)(6) of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2452(b)(6)).

    Management of the Fulbright-Hays program is also transferred to the Department of State.

Action History

  1. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

  2. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 16.

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Introduced in House

  5. Referred 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.

  6. Referred 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.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

education
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Frequently asked questions

What does HR 9603 do?
Less Bureaucracy, Better International Education Oversight ActThis 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.
Who sponsors HR 9603?
HR 9603 is sponsored by Wilson, Joe (Republican).
What is the current status of HR 9603?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced July 09, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HR 9603?
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