This week in Washington was relatively quiet for CTE-related policy. The long-awaited framework of a bipartisan infrastructure deal was released late last week, and floor consideration has begun. Both the House and Senate were in session for the entire week, but the House now heads out for an extended recess, until September 20. The Senate will be in session a bit longer before adjourning for their August recess. ACTE has several advocacy tasks lined up for our members to participate in over the congressional recess, but in the meantime, here is what you need to stay on top of the latest news!
- CDC Releases Updated Mask Guidance for K-12 Schools: The CDC has released updated guidelines that recommend all individuals in K-12 schools wear masks, regardless of vaccination status, in light of higher national case numbers and the increased transmissibility of the Delta COVID-19 variant.
- House Passes Package of Appropriations Bills: On July 29, the House passed H.R. 4502, a seven-bill package that includes the Fiscal Year 2022 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies funding bill. For more information on the funding levels provided in the bill, visit CTE Policy Watch.
- Policymakers Announce Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework: On July 28, a bipartisan negotiating group in the U.S. Senate announced that they had struck a deal with the White House to bring a $550 billion infrastructure bill to the Senate for consideration, including a $65 billion investment to provide broadband access to every American. The bill then cleared two different procedural votes in the Senate to move toward debate, and the full text of the bill was released over the weekend.
- Department of Education Releases Funds to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness: The Department of Education has released $600 million in American Rescue Plan funds to help support students experiencing homelessness. States and school districts can use the funding to ensure students can fully participate in school activities.
- Department of Education Releases Funds to Support Under-resourced Postsecondary Institutions: The Department of Education has released $3.2 billion in additional emergency grants under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). The funds will be used to help support students who attend HBCUs, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs).
- House Education and Labor Committee Holds Hearing on Pell Grants: On July 29, the Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee of the House Education and Labor Committee hosted a hearing titled, “Keeping the Pell Grant Promise: Increasing Enrollment, Supporting Success.” The committee members and witnesses discussed the impact of the Pell Grant program on college affordability, as well as ways to improve the Pell Grant program to better serve students. Later in the week, the Department of Education also announced it will expand the Second Chance Pell experiment for justice-involved individuals for the 2022-23 award year.
- ACTE Mourns Former Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY): ACTE released a statement on the passing of longtime CTE advocate and former Wyoming senator Mike Enzi, and extended thoughts and condolences to his family and loved ones.
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