Congress took recess most of last week after the final passage of the emergency foreign aid supplemental to provide funding for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and other security interests. As Capitol Hill was quiet, the media focused largely on growing protests on college campuses and Supreme Court activity. The Administration was also busy, announcing several new grant programs and federal regulations while hosting the Attaining College Excellence and Equity Summit.
- Senate Appropriations Committee Announces Hearing to Review the Administration’s Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Bill Request: The Senate Appropriations Committee announced a hearing this week, during which Education Secretary Miguel Cardona will testify on the President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget request for the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Bill.
- House Committee on Education and the Workforce Announces Full Committee Hearing: The House Committee on Education and the Workforce announced a hearing for this week, “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Labor,” to hear testimony from Acting Secretary of Labor, Julie Su.
- Biden-Harris Administration to Create National Recognition Program for Institutions that Increase Economic Mobility: Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced that the Department of Education will develop a new Postsecondary Student Success Recognition Program to uplift higher ed institutions that support student success.
- Department of Labor Announces Funding for Career Training Services: The Department of Labor announced $49.2 in available funds for career training services in the Appalachian, Lower Mississippi Delta and Northern Border regions. This is part of the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative.
- The Department of Education’s Office for Career and Technical Adult Education (OCTAE) Updated their Community College Page: OCTAE updated their website to provide more community college facts and resources. Information regarding current initiatives, funding opportunities and other background facts and information are readily available.
- Department of Education Announced Semifinalists for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program: The Department of Education announced the semifinalists for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, including nearly 60 students enrolled in CTE programming. Finalists are normally announced in early summer.
- Department of Agriculture (USDA) To Invest in Agriculture and Food Research Initiative’s (AFRI) Education and Workforce Development Program: USDA has $49.5 million to invest in the AFRI Education and Workforce Development program, and will expand job-based experiential learning opportunities to prepare students for the workforce.
- Department of Labor Adds New Federally Funded Projects to Promote Equal Access to Good Jobs, per the Investing in America Agenda: The Department of Labor announced the addition of 16 large infrastructure projects, funded through the Administration’s $2 trillion Investing in America agenda, to the Mega Construction Project Program.
- Department of Labor Announces New Overtime Rule: The Administration announced a final rule updating overtime rules for millions of lower-income salaried employees. The new rule raises salary thresholds required to exempt a salaried executive, administrative or professional employee from federal overtime pay requirements. Read more on the CTE Policy Watch Blog.
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