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Bill

HR 9971

Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act

119th Congress Introduced by Valerie Foushee and 2 co-sponsors

Reauthorizes and modernizes Title VI international education programs to expand U.S. student access and strengthen language, area studies, and global partnerships.

Introduced in House
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Bill Summary · HR 9971

Summary of HR 9971 (119th Congress)

Purpose and intent

  • HR 9971 seeks to reauthorize Title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965. The stated goal is to improve and encourage innovation in international education, expanding opportunities for U.S. students and institutions to engage globally, and to support the administration and enhancement of federally funded international education programs.

Key provisions and changes (subject to final text)

  • Reauthorization of Title VI programs: The bill would extend the authorization for Title VI activities, which historically include federally funded foreign language and international education programs housed in colleges and universities.
  • Programmatic modernization and innovation: The measure emphasizes improving and modernizing international education through innovative approaches, potentially including new curricula, research, and partnerships that enhance language acquisition, intercultural competencies, and global studies.
  • Support for institutions and students: Provisions are expected to bolster capacity at colleges and universities to offer international education programs, possibly expanding access for undergraduate and graduate students to study abroad, foreign area studies, and related disciplines.
  • Partnerships and collaboration: Encouragement of collaboration among higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, and international partners to advance global education initiatives.
  • Grant and grant-like program oversight: Reauthorization typically involves funding authorization or appropriation guidance, program standards, and reporting requirements to ensure accountability and effectiveness of Title VI activities.
  • Evaluation and accountability: Provisions likely include metrics, reporting, and evaluation mechanisms to measure impact on student learning, international expertise, and program outcomes.

Who would be affected

  • United States higher education institutions that implement Title VI programs (e.g., centers for foreign language study, area studies centers, and international education initiatives).
  • Students and faculty participating in international education programs, language studies, and global studies research.
  • Potential international partners, nonprofits, and organizations collaborating with Title VI programs to deliver or enhance education initiatives.
  • Federal program administrators responsible for oversight, compliance, and evaluation of Title VI activities.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduced in the House and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce (as of 2026-07-27).
  • Sponsorship: Co-sponsored by Valerie Foushee, Jimmy Panetta, and Deborah Ross, indicating bipartisan interest in international education and Title VI enhancements.
  • Next steps: Committee consideration, potential markups, and eventual floor action. If enacted, clarifications on funding authorizations, duration of reauthorization, and specific programmatic changes would follow in the final text.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Strengthened federal support for language and international studies, potentially expanding opportunities for students to gain intercultural competencies essential for global engagement.
  • Possible modernization of Title VI programs to reflect current global education needs, including emphasis on digital learning, regional studies, and new languages.
  • Implications for institutional planning, grant administration, and reporting requirements for participating colleges and universities.

Note: This summary is based on the bill’s stated title, sponsor information, and typical scope of Title VI reauthorizations. For precise provisions, funding levels, and specific program changes, the full text of HR 9971 and any committee reports should be reviewed once available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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