local
Behind ideological attacks on higher ed, surprising bipartisan reforms are happening
By Stacker at KVIA ABC-7
· July 18, 2026
· 12 min read
It’s rare in an era of partisan division to hear a veteran of the Clinton and Obama presidencies agreeing with a right-leaning economist who worked for George W. Bush.
Yet these prominent voices from opposite ends of the political spectrum teamed up to mostly praise a law passed by the Repu...
Key takeaway Yet these prominent voices from opposite ends of the political spectrum teamed up to mostly praise a law passed by the Republican Congress and signed by President Donald Trump.
Why this matters in The El Paso
In El Paso , where higher education is a vital pathway to economic mobility, these bipartisan reforms could have a significant impact on local students and families. The new accountability rule and earnings indicator on the FAFSA could help students at the University of Texas at El Paso and El Paso Community College make more informed decisions about their educational investments. By providing clearer information about the potential financial returns of different programs, these reforms could help reduce student debt and improve outcomes for El Paso's young people. As the city continues to grow and diversify its economy, the ability of its higher education institutions to provide relevant and effective training will be crucial. These reforms offer a promising step in that direction, and local leaders should be watching closely to see how they are implemented and what benefits they may bring to the El Paso community.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 12 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? It’s rare in an era of partisan division to hear a veteran of the Clinton and Obama presidencies agreeing with a right-leaning economist who worked for George W. Bush.
Yet these prominent voices from opposite ends of the political spectrum teamed up to mostly praise a law passed by the Repu...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stacker at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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