Higher Education Accrediting Agency Responsibility Act of 2003

Referred to the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 13, 2003

Higher Education Accrediting Agency Responsibility Act of 2003 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to remove requirements that institutions of higher education (IHEs) be accredited or preaccredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association in order to receive Federal funds under various HEA programs, including student aid under HEA title IV.Repeals such accreditation requirements with respect to IHEs, proprietary IHEs, special institutional aid under HEA title III, historically Black college and university capital financing, distance education demonstration programs, and student assistance program participation agreements.Repeals provisions for: (1) the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity; and (2) recognition of accrediting agencies or associations under HEA.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Petri, Thomas E. [R-WI-6] · R–WI

Committees

Education and Workforce Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Rep. Lipinski, William O. [D-IL-3]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Mar 10, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness.
Feb 13, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Feb 13, 2003
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E245)
Feb 13, 2003
Introduced in House
Feb 13, 2003
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Feb 13, 2003 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Mar 23, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.838 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.838, 108th Congress: Higher Education Accrediting Agency Responsibility Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/838

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-02-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr838/BILLS-108hr838ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-23T12:44:53Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.838 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.838 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.838, 108th Congress: Higher Education Accrediting Agency Responsibility Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/838

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-02-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr838/BILLS-108hr838ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-23T12:44:53Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.838 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.838 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss H.R.838, 108th Congress: Higher Education Accrediting Agency Responsibility Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/838

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-02-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr838/BILLS-108hr838ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-23T12:44:53Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.838 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.838 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.838, 108th Congress: Higher Education Accrediting Agency Responsibility Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/838

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-02-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr838/BILLS-108hr838ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-23T12:44:53Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.838 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.