The Education Department plans for a government shutdown to keep student loan rules moving

The US Education Department added backup virtual meeting dates for a committee writing new student loan rules. This means the committee can continue its work even if a government shutdown prevents in-person meetings.

The US government has a history of shutdowns, which can delay important regulatory work. By planning for a potential shutdown, the Education Department is trying to keep its rulemaking process on schedule. This suggests the new student loan rules are a high priority for the current administration.