Foxx Ameds Higher Education Bill to Protect Student Privacy

Press Release

Foxx amends higher education bill to protect student privacy

Education Committee adopts Foxx amendment that bars national database of personal student information

Washington, D.C.—In a marathon session lasting late into Thursday evening, the House Education Committee unanimously adopted an amendment offered by Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-05) that will ban the creation of a nation-wide database of college students' personal information. The amendment to the College Opportunity and Affordability Act (H.R. 4137) aims to protect the privacy rights of college students by keeping their personal and private information out of a massive federal database.

"College students should not be forced to participate in a huge national database that catalogues their personal information and increases the risk of identity theft," Rep Foxx said. "It would be a terrible mistake to address the cost of education, but ask students to forfeit their privacy in the process. This amendment adds vital privacy protections to a bill that is focused on the rising cost of college education."

Rep. Foxx's amendment will prohibit the Secretary of Education from creating a national database of personal information from students that receive federal aid under the higher education bill. The House Education and Labor Committee voted unanimously today to approve HR 4137. The legislation addresses the rising cost of college and the obstacles that make it difficult for some qualified students to attend college.

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