Congressional Review Act resolution would overturn Department of Education rule that restricts access to federal student loans for nurses, teachers, social workers, and other essential workers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative John W. Mannion (NY-22) today announced he is leading a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to repeal the Department of Education’s rule that removes nurses, teachers, social workers, counselors, and other essential professionals from a list of programs eligible for federal student loan support.
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Historically, students pursuing professional graduate degrees – including teachers and nurses – had the option to apply for federal student loan support. The Trump Administration’s new rule, which changes the definition of a “professional degree” to exclude nurses, teachers, social workers, and other essential workers, would limit access to federal programs designed to support workers entering high-need fields, and make it harder for future nurses and educators to access necessary education and training opportunities.
Representative John W. Mannion said, “The Trump Administration is making it harder for people to become nurses, social workers, counselors, and other essential professionals at the exact moment our communities need them most. This rule is arbitrary, short-sighted, and harmful to low- and middle-income students who do not have the luxury of paying out of pocket for an advanced degree, which is why I’m working with my colleagues on this legislation to repeal this rule and support our future nurses and educators. We should be expanding access to educational opportunities, not creating new barriers to the workforce.”
This rule follows enactment of H.R.1, the partisan budget bill – also referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill” that was passed by Congressional Republicans and signed into law in 2025. H.R. 1 requires the Department of Education to restructure its programs and change its definition of what constitutes a “professional degree.” The Department of Education’s final rule removes nurses and other professionals from its list of “professional degree” programs, which will force future nurses, social workers, teachers, and others to turn to often predatory, high-interest private lenders to complete their degrees. As a result, students pursuing degrees classified as “graduate” would only be able to borrow half as much in federal loans compared to students in programs defined as “professional.” Given rising college costs, this will not meet the needs of many students, and it will disincentivize Americans from entering high-need fields.
The rule also officially eliminates the Grad PLUS loan program and creates new, unaffordable repayment plans that will result in significantly higher monthly loan payments. These changes will disproportionately affect low- and middle-income families and borrowers. Millions of borrowers with outstanding student loans will see their required monthly payment amounts increase by hundreds of dollars, dramatically exacerbating the affordability crisis.
Mannion’s CRA resolution would repeal the Department’s rule and prevent these harmful changes from taking effect. Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress has the authority to overturn recently finalized federal regulations through a resolution of disapproval.
Representative Mannion is leading the CRA resolution with Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL) and Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD).
Representative Suzanne Bonamici said, “I’ve spoken with nurses, teachers, firefighters, and many others who are concerned about how the Trump administration is making it even harder and more expensive for students to enter these critical public service jobs. It is also absurd to take away more affordable student loan repayment plans at a time when families are struggling to cover costs as prices skyrocket for gas and other basic needs as a direct result of Trump’s reckless economic policy. These changes to the federal loan system are unacceptable and I will do everything I can to oppose them.”
Senator Jeff Merkley said, “Trump and Congressional Republicans’ ‘Big, Ugly Betrayal’ law is a direct attack on public service jobs across the nation, making it more difficult for hardworking Americans to access higher education. By failing to classify nurses, teachers, firefighters, social workers, accountants, architects, and others as pursuing ‘professional’ degrees for student loans, the Trump Administration is undermining the future of critical professions. At the same time, this is driving up the cost of student loans for all professions by establishing costlier student loan repayment plans. We’re fighting like hell to roll back dangerous changes to federal student loans, so folks can continue to access the affordable loans they need to pursue their dreams.”
Representative Lauren Underwood said, “While working families struggle to buy groceries and put gas in their cars, the Trump Administration is sending a clear message to aspiring nurses, health care providers, social workers, teachers, and firefighters: If you can’t afford a high interest loan, then you can’t serve your community. This rule will undermine public health, and it’s a slap in the face to the millions of professionals who are doing critically important work to support the health and well-being of our families. It should be thrown out, and I’m proud to join my colleagues on this Congressional Review Act resolution to get it overturned.”
Senator Angela Alsobrooks said, “The Trump Administration is once again actively targeting the public servants who make up the bedrock of our communities – nurses, teachers, and social workers – by taking away their opportunities to access affordable student loans and forcing them into the clutches of private lenders. This new rule creates a deep inequity that will exacerbate nursing and educator shortages and is an insult to the hard working professionals that sacrifice every day to serve others.”
The text of the CRA can be read here. It is supported by: AASA, The School Superintendents Association; American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN); American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA); American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP); American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM); American Nurses Association (ANA); National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNP); National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP); National Association of Social Workers (NASW); National Education Association (NEA); the National League for Nursing (NLN); the PA Education Association; National Rural Health Association; and American Academy of Physician Associates.
