Early Wednesday morning, the House Education and Labor Committee voted 27-21 to approve a $357.9 billion draft proposal for inclusion in the COVID-19 relief package that's slated to move through Congress under the FY21 budget reconciliation process. The process is important because it is a maneuver used to allow the legislation to pass the Senate by a simple majority, instead of the normally required 60-vote threshold.
The bill directly appropriates a total of $170.1 billion for education programs within the Department of Education. Of the $170.1 billion, $169.8 billion is for the education emergency relief fund. Unlike the two previously enacted bills, there is no separate fund for governors to administer. Below is a further breakdown of funds.
- $128.6 billion for K-12 education – The bill provides the funding under the same terms as previously for the Elementary and Secondary Education Emergency Relief Fund, with 90% of the funding going to local educational associations (LEAs).
- $39.6 billion for higher education – The bill provides 99% of the funding ($39.2 billion) for public and private non-profit institutions of higher education, which must use at least 50% of their funding on emergency financial aid grants to students.
- Other education-related provisions
- $200 million for Institute of Museum and Library Services
- $15.0 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant
- $23.975 billion for childcare stabilization funding for providers
- $1 billion for Head Start
- $1 billion for the Corporation for National and Community Service
To learn more, below are links to various documents related to the legislation:
- Chairman Scott’s Opening Statement
- Majority Press Release
- Fact Sheet
- Section by Section Summary
- Bill Text
The committee is one of several that have begun considering portions of the COVID-19 relief package within their committee’s jurisdiction. Committees must submit their legislation to the House Budget Committee by Feb. 16. The total package, which is expected to cost $1.9 trillion, is moving under the budget reconciliation instructions included in the FY 2021 budget resolution (S Con Res 5) the House and Senate adopted last week.
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