Congress is back in DC with a packed agenda ahead of them for the lame duck session. Key items on the schedule are the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), completion or extension of the Farm Bill, and appropriations packages. The continuing resolution (CR) passed earlier this year extends FY 2025 government funding through December 20, so Congress will have to either pass their spending bills or another CR before then. Meanwhile, committee assignments and orientation for the 119th Congress have begun, despite a handful of House races remaining uncalled. In the Administration, the Department of Labor is gearing up for National Apprenticeship Week while the Department of Education begins its final phase of testing for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Keep reading for more information and stay tuned for upcoming details on your new Members of Congress!
- Post-Election Update: As the dust settles on last week’s general election, we are starting to get a clearer picture of what changes will look like within the Executive and Legislative branches. There will certainly be some immediate impacts, and others that will have greater implications for the future. Check out the blog for more details.
- Senator Cassidy to Chair HELP Committee in 119th Congress: Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, announced that he will serve as Chair of the Committee in the 119th Congress once Republicans take control of the chamber. He has already established an agenda.
- White House Hosts Classroom to Career Summit: The White House hosted the Classroom to Career Summit with the President and First Lady to discuss education and the Administration’s agenda on expanding career pathways to good jobs. A companion event was hosted by the Department of Education to explore promising programs and practices across the country.
- House Passes Social Security Fairness Act: On Nov. 12, the House passed H.R. 82, which would repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provisions (WEP) within the Social Security program. This is a long-time ACTE priority that would improve the ability to recruit industry professionals into teaching careers in some states. We will be encouraging the Senate to act on the bill before the end of the Congress.
- ACTE Submits Comments on Proposed Changes to Perkins: On Nov. 12, ACTE and Advance CTE submitted joint comments in response to the Administration’s proposed changes to the Perkins State Plan Guide. You can view our comments here, and see other responses here.
- House Advances Bipartisan Bill to Make FAFSA Available by October 1: The House passed the FAFSA Deadline Act, designed to ensure that the FAFSA be fully operational by October 1 every year rather than January 1, the current deadline.
- Department of Education Announces Final Beta Testing Period for the 2025–26 FAFSA Form: The Department of Education announced the commencement of their final testing period for the 2025-26 FAFSA, following months of data collection and feedback from students testing the form. They are still on track to launch the form for everyone no later than December 1.
- Departments of Labor, Commerce release skills-first hiring guide to help employers hire, promote workers based on skill, knowledge: The Department of Labor published the “Good Jobs Initiative's Skills-First Hiring Starter Kit,” designed to educate employers about the benefits of using skills-first hiring practices and encourage them to use the practices in an effort to build a more qualified workforce.
- From Apprenticeship to Contractor: The Lifecycle of a Tradeswoman Event: The Department of Labor is holding an event later this month with the Women’s Bureau, for National Apprenticeship Week (November 17-23). This event will explore the career journeys of tradeswomen and their insights.
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