Congress has been on recess since late September, but returned on Monday for the final weeks of this year’s legislative session. It is unclear exactly how long the “lame duck” will last before the 114th Congress formally adjourns, but lawmakers were tentatively scheduled to be in session through December 16. Most speculate that the session will actually be shorter than that though, but no one knows yet exactly how short! The one must-pass item is legislation to address federal funding, which is currently operating under a continuing resolution that lasts through December 9. Congress must either extent that CR or pass a new funding bill through the remainder of the fiscal year.
So what does all this mean for the prospects of a final Perkins reauthorization bill this year? It is still too soon to tell for sure how the next few weeks will unfold, but there is still a chance that a bill could be completed. The biggest factor working against that outcome is first and foremost the time available—if the session is shortened there could only be a couple weeks of activity. In addition, the uncertain agenda of the next Administration and congressional leadership; and continued disagreements over how to approach issues of Secretarial authority, which was the stumbling block of the bill earlier in the year; could put Perkins on hold.
However, there is still a strong desire among many leaders on Capitol Hill and other key stakeholders to get a piece of legislation passed this year. For example, the House Education and the Workforce Committee issued a press statement last week titled “CTE Benefits Everyone,” which promoted the economic value of CTE and the House-passed Perkins bill, H.R. 5587. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) also recently wrote an op-ed connecting CTE to economic growth, particularly in manufacturing, and Rep. John Carter (R-TX) placed another piece about the opportunities CTE provides students. Business and industry leaders continue to promote Perkins reauthorization as well, including groups like the Society of Maintenance and Reliability Professionals and International Paper.
With all this positive attention for CTE, we are hopeful that Members of Congress will prioritize completing work on Perkins reauthorization in the few weeks remaining this year! It is important to note that should work not be completed this year, the reauthorization process will have to start over in the new Congress.
A growing diverse and communicable amount of human beings are interested and quite confidently are set on Career Technical Education being a stepping stone to one's career and professional goals in vocational trades. It is of vital importance to hold true to the melting pot method on the compromise of diversity. Kids with special needs are nonexclusive to any particular ethnic identity and there must be a diverse unbiased atmosphere for CTE to proceed as an open opportunity service for broadening the horizons of our young ones.
CTE provides for a structurally sound system against the stigma that runs along with stereotypical beliefs (Racism). Legislative power is granted to those that represent us through electoral process it is our duty as righteous citizens to urge congress to ensure funding for programs like CTE if our children are to be the best and brightest in whichever trade they so choose. We need the Perkin's grants to continue to provide for these students in CTE.
Posted by: Lia Massimo | 11/18/2016 at 09:14 PM