WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 6472 · 119th Congress

Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act

Passed HouseEducation
IntroducedDec 4, 2025
Passed HouseMar 4, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Mar 9, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The House passed it 351–72. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 2 sections of existing law.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 6472 would change 2 sections of existing law. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Mar 9, 2026).

20 U.S.C. 1015 Improvements in market information and public accountability in higher education

20 U.S.C. 1094 Program participation agreements

  • (a) Required for programs of assistance; contents added to · Sec. 2(b) · see the words
What the words would change: every change, in place (2)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 20 U.S.C. 1015added 135Aby H.R. 6472 Sec. 2(a)

    135A. In-State tuition rates for certain residents of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands.—(a) In general.— A public institution of higher education that receives assistance under this Act shall not charge a covered individual tuition or fees for attendance at such institution at a rate that is greater than the rate charged for residents of the State in which such institution is located.(b) Covered individual.— In this section, the term covered individual means an individual who—(1) is a resident of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, or the United States Virgin Islands; and(2) is a national of the United States (as such term is defined in section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a))).

    The bill says: Part C of title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 135 the following:

    Bill text · Current law (20 U.S.C. 1015)

  2. 20 U.S.C. 1094(a)added (30)by H.R. 6472 Sec. 2(b)

    (30) The institution will comply with the requirements of section 135A, as applicable.

    The bill says: Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

    Bill text · Current law (20 U.S.C. 1094)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act

This bill requires public institutions of higher education that participate in federal student aid programs to charge no more than in-state tuition and fee rates to students who are residents of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, provided they are also U.S. nationals.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House, Feb 11, 2026).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

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  1. Mar 9, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.Senate
  2. Mar 4, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  3. Mar 4, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 351 - 72 (Roll no. 82). Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  4. Mar 4, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 351 - 72 (Roll no. 82). Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  5. Mar 4, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2390-2391)House floor actions
  6. Mar 3, 2026At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.House floor actions
  7. Mar 3, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6472.House floor actions
  8. Mar 3, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2366-2367; text: CR H2366)House floor actions
  9. Mar 3, 2026Mr. Walberg moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
  10. Feb 11, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 421.House floor actions
  11. Feb 11, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-495.House floor actions
  12. Feb 11, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-495.Library of Congress
  13. Dec 11, 2025Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 32 - 1.House committee actions
  14. Dec 11, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  15. Dec 4, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.House floor actions
  16. Dec 4, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  17. Dec 4, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Mar 4, 2026 · HousePassed 351–72
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · needed two-thirds
    R 143 yes, 71 noD 208 yes, 1 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Salud O. Carbajal D-CA-24
  • Pablo José Hernández D-PR-At Large
  • Kimberlyn King-Hinds R-MP-At Large
  • Stacey E. Plaskett D-VI-At Large
  • Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen R-AS-At Large