H.R. 9580 seeks to repeal the 90/10 rule, which currently requires proprietary schools (for-profit institutions) to obtain at least 10% of their revenue from sources other than federal student aid in order to be eligible for federal funding under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Repealing this rule would allow these schools to rely more heavily on federal funds, potentially increasing their income from federal student loans and grants.
Supporters of H.R. 9580 argue that repealing the 90/10 rule could provide greater financial stability for proprietary schools, enabling them to offer more programs and services to students. Advocates believe this change could enhance access to education for non-traditional students who benefit from the specialized training and flexible schedules that many for-profit institutions offer.
Critics of H.R. 9580 express concerns that repealing the 90/10 rule may lead to increased reliance on federal funds by proprietary schools, which are often criticized for high tuition rates and low graduation rates. Opponents worry that this could result in more students taking on debt without receiving a quality education, ultimately harming students and taxpayers.
The bill H.R. 9580 aims to repeal the 90/10 rule affecting proprietary schools, which is a significant change in the regulation of for-profit educational institutions. However, an analysis of the sponsor Mark Harris's top donor industries reveals no direct overlaps with the subject matter of the bill. His largest donor industry is Health Professionals, contributing $360,000,000, followed by Retired individuals at $112,500,000. Since these industries do not have a direct financial interest in proprietary schools or the education sector, the potential for conflicts of interest appears minimal. Voters should be aware that while the financial backing from these industries is substantial, it does not correlate with the legislative intent of this bill, indicating a lower risk of undue influence.
These industries are both affected by this bill and among the sponsor's top donors.
| Industry | Match Type | Related Subject | Donations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retired (W06) | Sector | Education | $112,500,000 |
| Total from overlapping industries | $112,500,000 | ||
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| TECO HOLDINGS INC., FORMERLY KNOWN AS ENERGY, INC. | TECO HOLDINGS INC., FORMERLY KNOWN AS TECO ENERGY, INC. | $163,062 |
| SOUTHERN MILLS, INC. D/B/A TENCATE PROTECTIVE FABRICS (FKA TENCATE) | SOUTHERN MILLS, INC. D/B/A TENCATE PROTECTIVE FABRICS (FKA TENCATE) | $130,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CORNERSTONE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, INC. | $50,000 |
| SOCIETY OF GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE | CAVAROCCHI RUSCIO DENNIS ASSOCIATES, L.L.C. | $30,000 |
| SHEARWATER HEALTH | AMERICAN CAPITOL GROUP | $30,000 |
| CANNED MANUFACTURERS | AMERICAN CAPITOL GROUP | $25,000 |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE | PLURUS STRATEGIES, LLC | $20,000 |
| HAYMARKET CENTER | CORNERSTONE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, INC. | $20,000 |
| AMERICAN FINANCIAL SERVICES ASSOCIATION | PLURUS STRATEGIES, LLC | $20,000 |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | AMERICAN CAPITOL GROUP | $15,000 |
| CACHE VALLEY TRANSIT DISTRICT | AMERICAN CAPITOL GROUP | $15,000 |
| THE BENNETT GROUP DC ON BEHALF OF ENEXOR BIOENERGY | AMERICAN CAPITOL GROUP | $10,000 |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHRONIC DISEASE DIRECTORS | CORNERSTONE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, INC. | $10,000 |
| 'INTERNET OF EVERYTHING CORP. (FKA QUISNET). | AMERICAN CAPITOL GROUP | undisclosed |
| HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, FORMERLY REPORTED AS KIA CORPORATION | SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Mark Harris, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
