|
Appropriations: House Considers Continuing Resolution
Later today, the House will consider a Continuing Resolution (CR) to continue funding for government programs for the new fiscal year starting October 1. The CR was inserted into the FY 2010 Legislative Branch spending bill (HR 2918).
With all 12 Appropriations bill passed in the House, but only six passed in the Senate, and none passed through Congress, the Continuing Resolution, which goes until October 31, would allow Congress an additional month to finish work on the FY2010 spending legislation.
House Passes Unemployment Extension
On September 22, the House passed the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009 (HR 3548) on a 331-83 vote amid bipartisan support. The legislation provides an additional 13 weeks of eligibility for unemployment benefits to jobless people living in “high-unemployment states,” defined as a three-month average rate of over 8.5 percent unemployment. Currently 27 states fall into the high-unemployment category. The federal government will fund the entire bill for all emergency benefits past the 26 week guaranteed minimum.
According to economists, the recession appears to be ending, but unemployment is expected to remain high for several months. The unemployment rate continues to rise despite drops in job losses every month, and is expected to peak around 10.3 percent in 2010. According to Department of Labor summer statistics, there are six unemployed people for each job opening. Economists are predicting that over a million workers will use up their eligibility for benefits before the end of 2009.
The bill is expected to reach the Senate floor sometime next week. Congress is also expected to vote on renewing the existing structure of benefits for 2010 before the end of the year.
SAFRA Reconciliation Deadline Only “Advisory”
The October 15 deadline for using budget reconciliation to pass health care and student loan legislation (SAFRA, HR 3221) is largely advisory and not an enforceable date according to Senate Budget Chariman Kent Conrad (ND). The deadline for completing reconciliation is the end of the year for all practical and political purposes.
The language passed in the FY 2010 budget resolution (S Con Res 13) permits budget reconciliation for student aid legislation and health care, but states that “not later than October 15, 2009,” the committees “shall submit their recommendations” to their Budget committee, and does not suggest the deadline can be waived. However, the Senate has extended the deadline for reconciliations instructions several times in the last thirty years according to a report by the Congressional Research Service.
The student loan legislation (SAFRA) to be passed through budget reconciliation includes $9.5 billion for community colleges, broken down into three programs:
- $2.5 billion provided in FY2011 for grants to community colleges to repair, renovate and modernize their facilities.
- $6.3 billion provided over ten years for the Community College Challenge Grant Program. The program will offer competitive grants geared towards community colleges during the first four years and targeted to states during the remaining six years.
- $700 million provided for competitive grants designated for national activities, including grants to develop free online courses and training.
Senate HELP Committee Nomination of Dann-Messier
On September 30, the Senate HELP Committee will consider the nomination of Brenda Dann-Messier as Assistant Secretary of Education for Vocational and Adult Education. President Obama announced his intent to nominate Dann-Messier on June 24, 2009. She is currently the President of Dorcas Place, an Adult and Family learning Center located in Providence, RI. Prior to her role at Dorcas Place, she worked in the Northeast and Island Regional Educational Laboratory at Brown University after serving as Department of Education Secretary Richard Riley’s Regional Representative for Region I in Boston, MA. She also has experience directing two TRIO programs and is a member of the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education.
House Education and Labor Committee to Hold Hearing on Opportunities for Young Americans
At 10 a.m. on October 1, at 2175 Rayburn Building, the House Education and Labor Committee will hold a hearing title “Ensuring Economic Opportunities for Young Americans.” Assistant Secretary of Labor Jane Oates is expected to testify on the success of the ARRA Summer Jobs Program at the hearing.
Capitol Hill Celebrates 45 Years of Job Corps
On Tuesday, September 22, Secretary Hilda Solis along with Senators Jack Reed (RI), Patty Murray (WA), Arlen Specter (PA), Orrin Hatch (UT), Representatives Steny Hoyer (MD), Elijah Cummings (MD), David Obey (WI), key administration officials and National Job Corps Association (NJCA) members celebrated the commencement of Job Corps Day: 45 years of Building Lives and Launching Careers with a Congressional “Breakfast of Champions” to honor their continued support of Job Corps. The celebration continued with demonstrations from Job Corps’ First Robotics team and the first0ever annual Jobs Corps Student Oratory Competition “Final Four” round. The event recognized the comprehensive academic, residential and vocational services Job Corps has provided to almost three million at-risk youth throughout the nation.
|
