SE Valley Times

Congressman Andy Biggs has introduced a bill aimed at ensuring that institutions of higher education recognized as nonprofit organizations by the Internal Revenue Service are also considered nonprofits by the Department of Education. This legislation, known as the IHE Nonprofit Clarity Act, is expected to benefit Grand Canyon University by addressing financial challenges it faces due to its current status.

The proposed act seeks to enable Grand Canyon University to enhance student services, expand athletic programs, conduct more academic research, and lower tuition costs. Congressman Biggs highlighted that the university's efforts have been hindered because the Department of Education has not acknowledged its IRS designation as a nonprofit.

In addition to introducing this legislation, Congressman Biggs led an Arizona delegation in sending a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. The letter urged her department to update Grand Canyon University's nonprofit status.

"ED’s refusal to designate GCU as a nonprofit institution of higher education is residual damage from the Biden-Harris regime’s weaponization of government against Christian universities," said Congressman Biggs. He expressed confidence in Secretary McMahon's ability to address these issues under new leadership.

The letter was cosigned by several members of Congress from Arizona: Rep. Eli Crane, Rep. Abraham J. Hamadeh, Rep. Paul Gosar, Rep. David Schweikert, Rep. Greg Stanton, Rep. Juan Ciscomani, Rep. Yassamin Ansari, Sen. Mark Kelly, and Sen. Ruben Gallego.