This was a busy week in Washington for CTE-related measures, as the House passed the America COMPETES Act, H.R. 4521, containing language similar to the JOBS Act and the College Transparency Act. This bill is the companion legislation to the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, S. 1260, that was passed over the summer without these provisions included. Next, the bill will go to conference with the Senate. You can read more about the implications for CTE below, and stay tuned to the CTE Policy Watch blog for the latest updates and advocacy opportunities as the conference negotiations unfold! Both chambers will be in town for votes next week, and focus is likely to shift to the expiration of government funding on February 18. In the meantime, here are more headlines from Washington:
- Amendment Containing JOBS Act and College Transparency Act Adopted in America COMPETES Act: On February 4, Reps. Andy Levin (D-MI), Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Bryan Steil (R-WI) introduced an amendment to the America COMPETES Act of 2022 (H.R. 4521) being debated by the House containing language similar to the JOBS Act and College Transparency Act (CTA), two of ACTE’s top legislative priorities. The House approved the amendment by a vote of 238-193, and the entire America COMPETES Act then passed on a largely party-line 222-210 vote. You can read more about these developments here.
- Ask Your Members of Congress: Cosponsor the House and Senate CTE Month Resolutions: The co-chairs of the House and Senate CTE Caucus, Reps. Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), and Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Todd Young (R-IN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) have introduced resolutions in both chambers honoring February as CTE Month! CLICK HERE to ask your Members of Congress to cosponsor this year’s CTE Month resolutions!
- ACTE Released Updated “What is CTE?” Infographic: As CTE Month 2022 kicks off, ACTE released a new “What is CTE?” infographic to help CTE supporters inform about and advocate for CTE. This resource provides an overview of CTE and highlights the benefits that CTE can provide for students, businesses and communities.
- ACTE Key Legislation Blog Series: College Transparency Act: In March 2021, Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tim Scott (R-SC) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Steve Stivers (R-OH), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and Bryan Steil (R-WI) reintroduced S. 839/H.R. 2030, known as the College Transparency Act (CTA). The CTA, which had also been introduced in previous years, would establish a national postsecondary data reporting system to provide information on student outcomes, such as enrollment, completion and earnings, across postsecondary institutions and career fields. This bill is one of ACTE’s top legislative priorities (and may have new potential for passing in America COMPETES!).
- Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Appropriations Process Update: The bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees continued negotiations on Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 appropriations this week, expressing confidence that they can stave off a government shutdown and pass an extension of government funding via a short-term continuing resolution (CR) prior to expiration of the current CR. The latest reports are that another CR may be needed through early March before a final agreement can be reached.
- Applications Now Open for Supplemental ARP Act Higher Education Funding: On February 3, the Department of Education opened applications for new awards and supplemental support for some higher education institutions (including community colleges) under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund through the American Rescue Plan Act. Additional information is available in the Federal Register.
- OCTAE Holds Career-Connected Education Summit: On February 2, The Department of Education’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) hosted the 2022 Advancing Equity in Career-Connected Education Summit. The Advancing Equity Summit is designed to further the goals of OCTAE for all youth and adults to be ready for and have meaningful access to quality college and career pathways.
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