H.R. 8834 aims to enhance the number of college graduates with international knowledge and experience by creating the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program within the Department of Education. This program is designed to promote study abroad opportunities for students, helping them to gain valuable global perspectives that are increasingly important in the modern economy.
H.R. 8834 was introduced in the 119th Congress by Bradley Schneider (Democrat) and is currently listed as “Introduced”. It is classified under the Education policy area, one of 186 bills in that area we track this Congress.
Bradley Schneider is the sponsor of 5 bills in our database this Congress, so H.R. 8834 is part of a broader legislative agenda rather than a one-off proposal.
Senate lobbying disclosures list 15 organizations lobbying on this bill’s issue area.
Our conflict-of-interest analysis rates H.R. 8834 2/10 (low risk), higher than 76% of analyzed bills; the average in Education is 2.8/10.
Media outlets have praised H.R. 8834 as a vital step towards preparing American students for a competitive global workforce. Supporters highlight the importance of international experience in fostering cultural understanding and enhancing career opportunities for graduates.
Critics of H.R. 8834 argue that the bill may divert funding from other educational priorities and question whether study abroad programs are accessible to all students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Some commentators express concerns about the practicality and implementation of such a program amid existing budget constraints.
The analysis of H.R. 8834, which aims to establish the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program, reveals no direct industry overlaps between the bill's subject matter and the sponsor, Bradley Schneider's top donor industries. The significant lobbying activity in this policy area, particularly from The Ferguson Group, LLC, does not appear to be directly related to the education or study abroad sectors. The largest disclosed donation comes from Fresenius Kabi USA LLC, amounting to $1,100,000, but this company operates in the healthcare sector, which does not intersect with the bill's focus on international education. Therefore, the potential for conflicts of interest is minimal, as the financial interests of the sponsor's donors do not align with the objectives of the proposed legislation.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FRESENIUS KABI USA LLC | FRESENIUS KABI USA LLC | $1,100,000 |
| CONSEJO COORDINADOR EMPRESARIAL | IQOM STRATEGIC ADVISORS, LLC | $140,000 |
| IVANHOE ATLANTIC (FORMERLY HIGH POWER EXPLORATION INC.) | YORKTOWN SOLUTIONS | $120,000 |
| SKYRYSE, INC. | SKYRYSE, INC. | $70,000 |
| AIS HEALTHCARE | MCGUIREWOODS CONSULTING (A SUBSIDIARY OF MCGUIREWOODS LLP) | $20,000 |
| THE FERGUSON GROUP, LLC FOR CAPE FEAR PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY,NC | EARL STOCKDALE | undisclosed |
| THE FERGUSON GROUP, LLC ON BEHALF OF WEST COUNTY WASTEWATER DISTRICT, CA | EARL STOCKDALE | undisclosed |
| THE FERGUSON GROUP, LLC FOR CITY OF OCEANSIDE CA | EARL STOCKDALE | undisclosed |
| THE FERGUSON GROUP, LLC ON BEHALF OF WARD & SMITH (FOR BALD HEAD ISLAND) | EARL STOCKDALE | undisclosed |
| THE FERGUSON GROUP, LLC ON BEHALF OF WARD & SMITH, PA (FOR HOLDEN BEACH, NC) | EARL STOCKDALE | undisclosed |
| CORE POWER (US) INC. | INVARIANT LLC | undisclosed |
| ICON TECHNOLOGY, INC. | INVARIANT LLC | undisclosed |
| HUBBS-SEAWORLD RESEARCH INSTITUTE | HAMMER ASSOCIATES, LLC | undisclosed |
| THE POLICY SHOP LLC | JAVELIN ADVISORS LLC | undisclosed |
| NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF HEALTHCARE PURCHASER COALITIONS | NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF HEALTHCARE PURCHASER COALITIONS | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Bradley Schneider, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
What does H.R. 8834 do?
H.R. 8834 aims to enhance the number of college graduates with international knowledge and experience by creating the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program within the Department of Education. This program is designed to promote study abroad opportunities for students, helping them to gain valuable global perspectives that are increasingly important in the modern economy.
Has H.R. 8834 received a floor vote?
No roll-call vote on H.R. 8834 is recorded in our database yet. Its current status is “Introduced”.
Does H.R. 8834 have a conflict of interest?
Our conflict-of-interest analysis rates H.R. 8834 2/10 (low risk), higher than 76% of analyzed bills; the average in Education is 2.8/10. This score reflects overlap between the sponsor’s campaign funding, lobbying activity, and the industries the bill affects. It is a transparency indicator, not an accusation.
What is the status of H.R. 8834?
H.R. 8834 is currently “Introduced” as of our last update on May 19, 2026.
Who sponsored H.R. 8834?
H.R. 8834 was sponsored by Bradley Schneider (Democrat).
