HR 4137110th CongressSigned into LawHouse

Higher Education Opportunity Act

Policy Area: Education

View on Congress.gov

Origin Chamber

House

Last Updated

Jul 21, 2025

Latest Action Date

Aug 14, 2008

Primary Sponsor

Sponsor

Bill Sponsor

Rep. Miller, George [D-CA-7]

DCA

View Full Member Profile →

Sponsor Committees

Related committee information is not available for this bill yet.

Legislative Timeline

Signed into Law

2007-11-09Referred to Committee

Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Science and Technology, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

2007-11-09Introduced

Introduced in House

2007-11-14Committee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

2007-11-15Reported

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 45 - 0.

2007-11-15Committee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

2007-12-19Calendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 305.

2007-12-19Discharge

Committee on Financial Services discharged.

2007-12-19Discharge

Committee on Science and Technology discharged.

2007-12-19Discharge

Committee on Judiciary discharged.

2007-12-19Reported

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 110-500, Part I.

2008-02-06Reported

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 956 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4137 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and Labor now printed in the bill.

2008-02-07Floor

The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 4137.

2008-02-07Floor

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 354 - 58 (Roll no. 40).

2008-02-07Floor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

2008-02-07Passed House

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 354 - 58 (Roll no. 40).

2008-02-07Floor

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 194 - 216 (Roll no. 39). (consideration: CR H781-782)

2008-02-07Floor

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H781)

2008-02-07Reported

DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Ferguson motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment adding a new Title XII regarding Limitations on Expenditures.

2008-02-07Floor

Mr. Ferguson moved to recommit with instructions to Education and Labor. (consideration: CR H780-782; text: CR H780)

2008-02-07Floor

The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text: CR H658-636)

2008-02-07Floor

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H780)

2008-02-07Floor

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4137.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Shuler amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Patrick Murphy (PA) amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gillibrand amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Van Hollen amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ryan (OH) amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cooper amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Crowley amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Baird amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Doggett amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Stupak amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Eddie Bernice Johnson amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Welch amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hastings (FL) amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Yarmuth amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Sestak amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Davis(IL) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. McKeon demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Davis(IL) amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Castle amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Petri amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Price(GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Petri amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Petri amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. McKeon demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hinojosa en bloc amendments.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McKeon amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 956, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the George Miller (CA) amendment.

2008-02-07Floor

GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole resumed general debate on H.R. 4137.

2008-02-07Floor

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

2008-02-07Floor

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H645-783)

2008-02-07Floor

ORDER OF PROCEDURE - Mr. Hinojosa asked unanimous consent that, during further consideration of H.R. 4137 pursuant to H. Res. 956, the Chair may reduce to two minutes the minimum time for electronic voting under clause 6 of rule 18 and clauses 8 and 9 of rule 20. Agreed to without objection.

2008-02-07Floor

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 4137 as unfinished business.

2008-02-07Floor

On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

2008-02-07Floor

Mr. Hinojosa moved that the Committee rise.

2008-02-07Floor

GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 4137.

2008-02-07Floor

The Speaker designated the Honorable Ed Pastor to act as Chairman of the Committee.

2008-02-07Floor

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 956 and Rule XVIII.

2008-02-07Floor

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4137 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and Labor now printed in the bill.

2008-02-07Floor

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 956. (consideration: CR H641-645)

2008-02-07Passed House

Rule H. Res. 956 passed House.

2008-02-25Referred to Committee

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

2008-07-29Conference

The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on Science and Technology for consideration of secs. 961 and 962 of the House bill, and sec. 804 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Gordon, Baird, and Neugebauer.

2008-07-29Conference

The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on the Judiciary for consideration of secs. 951 and 952 of the House bill, and secs. 951 and 952 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Conyers, Waters, and Gohmert.

2008-07-29Conference

The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on Education and Labor for consideration of the House bill and the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Miller, George, Hinojosa, Tierney, Wu, Bishop (NY), Altmire, Yarmuth, Courtney, Andrews, Scott (VA), Davis (CA), Davis (IL), Hirono, Keller, Petri, McMorris Rodgers, Foxx, Kuhl (NY), Walberg, Castle, Souder, Ehlers, Biggert, and McKeon.

2008-07-29Conference

Conferees agreed to file conference report. (consideration: CR S7591)

2008-07-29Conference

Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.(consideration: CR S7591)

2008-07-29Conference

On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H7269)

2008-07-29Conference

Mr. Miller, George asked unanimous consent that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference. (consideration: CR H7269)

2008-07-29Floor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

2008-07-29Conference

Senate insists on its amendment, asks for a conference, appoints conferees Kennedy; Dodd; Harkin; Mikulski; Bingaman; Murray; Reed; Clinton; Obama; Sanders; Brown; Enzi; Gregg; Alexander; Burr; Isakson; Murkowski; Hatch; Roberts; Allard; Coburn. (consideration: CR S7591)

2008-07-29Passed Senate

Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

2008-07-29Passed Senate

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

2008-07-29Floor

Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7591)

2008-07-29Discharge

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent.

2008-07-30Conference

Conference report H. Rept. 110-803 filed. (text of conference report: CR H7353-7517)

2008-07-30Conference

Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 110-803 filed.(text of conference report: CR H7353-7517)

2008-07-31Legislative Action

Cleared for White House.

2008-07-31Floor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

2008-07-31Conference

Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 83 - 8. Record Vote Number: 194. (consideration: CR S7878)

2008-07-31Conference

Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 83 - 8. Record Vote Number: 194.(consideration: CR S7878)

2008-07-31Conference

Conference report considered in Senate.

2008-07-31Conference

On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 380 - 49 (Roll no. 544). (consideration: CR H7673)

2008-07-31ResolvingDifferences

Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

2008-07-31Conference

Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 380 - 49 (Roll no. 544).(consideration: CR H7673)

2008-07-31Conference

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report to accompany H.R. 4137.

2008-07-31Conference

Mr. Miller, George brought up conference report H. Rept. 110-803 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 1389. (consideration: CR H7658-7673)

2008-08-06Sent to President

Presented to President.

2008-08-14Signed into Law

Became Public Law No: 110-315.

2008-08-14Signed by President

Signed by President.

Related Votes

Coming Soon

Roll call votes connected to this bill will appear here once bill-to-vote matching is enabled.

Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 110-315.

Official Summary

Official summary has not been imported yet.

GovScope Watchdog™

AI Government Intelligence™

Executive Summary

The Higher Education Opportunity Act (H.R. 4137), enacted as Public Law 110-315 on August 14, 2008, is a comprehensive federal law focused on reforming and improving higher education in the United States. Although the official summary and full text are not provided here, the law is known to address various aspects of postsecondary education, including financial aid, institutional accountability, student protections, and access to higher education opportunities. The act represents a reauthorization and update of previous higher education legislation, aiming to enhance educational outcomes and support for students and institutions.

Bottom Line

H.R. 4137, the Higher Education Opportunity Act, is a significant federal law enacted in 2008 to improve and regulate higher education, focusing on student aid, institutional accountability, and access to education.

Policy Risk Level

🟡 Medium

Neutral Risk Assessment

Key Points

The bill was signed into law on August 14, 2008, becoming Public Law 110-315.
It falls under the policy area of Education and originates from the House of Representatives during the 110th Congress.
The act likely includes provisions related to financial aid, institutional accountability, and student protections, consistent with its title and typical scope.

Who Benefits?

['Students seeking higher education and financial aid', 'Institutions of higher education', 'Federal and state education agencies', 'Organizations involved in postsecondary education policy and administration']

Potential Concerns

['Implementation complexity due to the broad scope of higher education reforms', 'Potential costs associated with expanded financial aid and institutional requirements', 'Oversight challenges to ensure compliance by educational institutions', 'Balancing federal authority with institutional autonomy']

Political Context

The bill was passed by the 110th Congress and signed into law in 2008, reflecting a legislative effort to update and improve federal higher education policy. It reauthorizes and amends prior higher education legislation, responding to evolving educational needs and policy priorities at that time.

Hidden Impact Review

High concern review — 3 hidden impact flags detected

GovScope reviewed 3 policy-risk categories. Hover for a quick definition. Click detected flags for bill-specific details.

High Concern

Detected Flags

Indirect Effects

['Potential improvement in higher education quality and student outcomes due to increased accountability.', 'Possible administrative burden on institutions to comply with new regulations and reporting requirements.', 'Enhanced access to higher education for underrepresented or financially needy students through expanded aid.']

GovScope Watchdog Notes

The absence of an official summary and full bill text in the source data limits detailed analysis. Transparency regarding specific provisions, funding mechanisms, and enforcement language is essential for comprehensive oversight. Monitoring implementation and compliance will be critical to assess the law's effectiveness and fiscal impact.

Passage Likelihood: HighConfidence: 85%Model: gpt-4.1-mini

GovScope Intelligence Roadmap

Future bill intelligence will connect sponsors, committee referrals, related votes, campaign finance, disclosures, and stock trades into one legislative intelligence view.

Enterprise Ready