Texas Judge Halts Biden’s “Bare Minimum Rule”

U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman has issued a temporary injunction halting a key provision of the Biden administration’s new regulation aimed at tightening oversight of career training programs. The injunction specifically blocks a provision known as the "bare minimum rule," which would have denied federal student aid to vocational programs that exceed a state’s mandatory training hours. This regulation, slated to take effect July 1, was intended to align program requirements more closely with state standards to ensure students do not have to complete more credit hours than necessary.

The Biden administration argued that the regulation was designed to protect students from being compelled to complete unnecessary credit hours.

The lawsuit challenging this provision was filed in May by the Coalition of Career Schools and 360 Degree Education. They argued that the new rule undermined longstanding regulations that allowed students to access federal grants for vocational programs exceeding the state-mandated minimums by up to 150%. According to the Coalition of Career Schools, complying with the new rule would force them to cut program hours, potentially reducing enrollment and harming students.

Judge Pittman’s ruling, issued in a 15-page order, stated that the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) new provision represents a significant departure from established practices over the past three decades. He agreed with the plaintiffs that implementing the rule would cause irreparable harm to career schools. The injunction prevents the provision from being enforced while the lawsuit progresses. The injunction is not nationwide; it only applies to the Northern District of Texas—Judge Pittman’s district.

The Biden administration, in response to the ruling, stated that it is reviewing the Court’s decision.