In Washington this week, both chambers were in session. Congress was focused on passing resolutions, negotiations on domestic spending programs and advancing nominees. Coming up next week, the Biden Administration is preparing to release its fiscal year 2024 budget proposal on March 9, followed by specific budget justifications on March 13. ACTE’s Public Policy team is preparing to respond to the budget request and conduct additional follow-up to ensure that the funding needs of the CTE community are addressed appropriately. Activity with the Congressional CTE Caucus is also ramping up, with staff briefings and Capitol Hill receptions soon to come. For those joining us at the 2023 National Policy Seminar (NPS), you will have the opportunity to attend in-person meetings with your legislators in Washington to advocate for CTE priorities. Here are some news and notes from the week:
- Department of Education Launches Raise the Bar Website: In support of Secretary of Education Cardona’s “Raise the Bar: Lead the World” address on January 24, the Department has launched a new landing page and posted a one-pager in English and Spanish. Visit the website here.
- Department of Labor Announces Funding for Pre-Release Job Training for Incarcerated Individuals: The Department of Labor has announced funding to provide training and employment services to incarcerated individuals before their release from state correctional facilities, county or local jails. Read more about the funding here.
- Deputy Secretary of Labor Julie Su to be Nominated as Next Secretary of Labor: President Biden has announced his intent to nominate Julie Su as the next U.S. Secretary of Labor. Read the full statement from the Department of Labor here.
- Senate Appropriations Committee Leaders Discuss FY24 Proposals: Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA) and Vice Chairwoman Susan Collins (R-ME) are working to set a topline funding level for fiscal year 2024 appropriations. Sen. Collins noted that lawmakers may try to move several “minibus” packages containing more than one spending bill at a time, but that they would try to avoid a large omnibus funding package.
- House Eliminates Education Earmarks: The House Appropriations Committee announced its Member request for fiscal year 2024 and will not be allowing earmarks in the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill this year. This means any education or workforce development projects will need to be submitted in the Senate.
- ACTE Hosts 2023 CTE Month School Visit at Jackson-Reed High School: On February 28, ACTE, District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) hosted a school visit in celebration of CTE Month 2023 at Jackson-Reed High School in Northwest Washington, DC. Read more about the visit here.
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