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Committee backs in-state tuition change for U.S. territories but rejects federal reimbursement amendment
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Summary
The committee agreed to report HR 6472 to the House to require public colleges to charge certain U.S. territory residents in‑state tuition; a Democratic amendment to reimburse institutions for lost revenue failed (recorded vote 14–19); committee passage was reported 32–1.
Representative James Moylan (Guam) introduced HR 6472 to amend the Higher Education Act so that residents of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands would be charged no more than in‑state tuition at public colleges in the states. Moylan said the change expands training and workforce opportunities and helps territories retain graduates who can strengthen local economies and national security in the Pacific.
Democrats said they supported the principle but pressed for a funding mechanism to avoid creating an unfunded federal mandate for states. Representative Adams offered an amendment requiring the federal government to reimburse public institutions for any revenue lost by honoring in‑state rates; supporters argued it would preserve state sovereignty and prevent offloading costs to state systems, while opponents said it would impose a new mandatory cost on the federal budget. The Adams amendment failed on a recorded tally of 14 yeas and 19 nays.
After debate and consideration of amendments, the committee voted to report HR 6472 to the House as amended. The clerk announced the committee recorded vote as 32 yeas and 1 nay. Members requested that a recorded vote be taken on several amendments and those votes were postponed and recorded as noted in the transcript.
The committee's action advances HR 6472 to the House floor for further consideration.
