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Congressman Bishop praises state lawmakers, warns against federal maintenance‑of‑effort mandate
Summary
U.S. Rep. Bishop addressed the Utah House, commending members' work, urging vigilance on federal higher‑education maintenance‑of‑effort language (a five‑year rolling average) and stressing border security and local control on federal land issues.
Congressman Bishop addressed the Utah House in a Committee of the Whole, thanking members for their service and urging caution about recent federal proposals on higher education funding and other mandates.
Bishop told the chamber he admired the legislature’s efforts and warned that a maintenance‑of‑effort provision in federal higher‑education legislation—described in his remarks as a five‑year rolling‑average requirement—could effectively penalize states if spending falls below that average, risking the loss of federal funds tied to programs such as Pell Grants and LEAP. "A maintenance of effort ... simply says that there will be a 5 year rolling average for every state," he said, adding that states could be "hammered" if averages decline.
Why it matters: Bishop framed the issue as a threat to state discretion over education budgeting and encouraged members to press their senators and national groups to prefer the Senate version of the bill, which he said did not contain the provision. He also called on legislators to consider piecemeal federal fixes for immigration and labor‑program caps (H‑2B and H‑2A) rather than a single comprehensive bill.
Bishop also touched on other federal issues. He praised efforts to protect the Utah Test and Training Range as a national asset, recounted an example of federal correction after an apparent Defense Department error that would have affected jobs, and warned that changes to moratorium language regarding Skull Valley could reopen long‑dormant controversies about spent nuclear fuel. On border security he tied enforcement to drug flows and discussed National Park access issues along portions of the Mexico‑Arizona border.
During a brief question‑and‑answer period, Representative Holdaway asked about cuts to Perkins funding for career and technical education. Bishop said Congress had a history of restoring that funding and reiterated that the maintenance‑of‑effort language remained a concern; he said the House Rules Committee had not allowed his amendment to remove the provision. He urged members to contact senators and national groups such as NCSL and ALEC to press for the Senate position in conference.
The House adjourned the Committee of the Whole and resumed regular business after Bishop concluded.
