Congress returned to Washington last week to mark up appropriations bills, hold several committee hearings and consider pending nominations. In addition, Senate Democrats announced an initial framework for a budget reconciliation package worth $3.5 trillion, although there are still many unknowns about how details of this package will be fleshed out over the next few months. We made one last push for a focus on workforce development funding in the negotiations last week, thank you to those who reached out to Members of Congress! This bill is in addition to the bipartisan infrastructure package that was announced several weeks ago and that the Senate could begin voting on as early as later this week. While we wait for forthcoming news on these spending packages, catch up on the latest in CTE-related news from Washington.
- House Appropriations Committee Approves Labor-HHS-Education Bill: On July 15, the full House Appropriations Committee marked up and approved by voice vote the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies funding bill. The bill provides a $50 million increase to the Perkins Basic State Grant as well as a new $100 competitive grant program focused on CTE innovation. Now that it has been favorably reported out of the committee, the bill will need to be approved by the full House. Prior to the Committee action, ACTE joined with Advance CTE to send a letter to committee leaders with our thoughts on the bill. For more details on the legislation, you can read the CTE Policy Watch recap and read the full report of the bill.
- Committee for Education Funding (CEF) Holds Education Budget Briefing: On July 13, the Committee for Education Funding (CEF) released its Fiscal Year 2022 budget book titled, “Education Matters: Investing in America’s Future,” and held a panel discussion about the need for increased education funding. Four panelists participated, each with a wealth of knowledge to share from across the educational spectrum, including Craig Statucki, the Director of Career Readiness, Adult Learning and Education Options for the Nevada Department of Education, who recently served as the Executive Director of Nevada’s Association for Career and Technical Education.
- Secretary of Labor Walsh Testifies Before Senate Appropriations Subcommittee: On July 14, Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh testified before the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee to discuss President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget request for the Department of Labor. Secretary Walsh and several senators on the committee highlighted the importance of apprenticeships, as well as the need to improve access to them.
- Department of Education Announces Temporary Changes to Student Aid Process: The Department of Education recently announced that it will focus federal student aid verification on identity theft and fraud for the 2021–22 college application cycle. Richard Cordray of Federal Student Aid (FSA) said this plan will address immediate student needs, protect the integrity of the Pell Grant program and reduce barriers to access for underserved students. This announcement comes amidst reports that FAFSA completion decreased significantly again this year among high school graduates.
- Department of Education Approves Additional ARP-ESSER Funds: The Department of Education has approved plans for South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Arkansas, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia to utilize their ARP-ESSER funds to support safe school reopenings and expand opportunities for students impacted by the pandemic. The funds were made available to states through the passage of the American Rescue Plan.
- Education Groups Launch Effort to Double Pell Grant: A coalition of 24 education associations, organizations and advocacy groups recently launched an effort to double the maximum Pell Grant award to $13,000 per year. Approximately 7 million low and middle-income students across the country are awarded Pell Grants.
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