[an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]

Home   Our History Gov't Affairs   Membership   Publications   Events   Affiliates   Awards   Feature   Members Only
Government Affairs
	[an error occurred while processing this directive] Governmental Affairs: Advocacy in action. Read current and previous Legislative Network Alerts. View a listing of the Legislative Network Members. Frequently asked questions about the Legislative Network.   Legislative Network Alerts Alert Number 170       July 21, 2006       For Your Information Senate full Committee on Appropriations Passes Labor-HHS-ED bill To: Members of the Legislative Network From: Patricia Leahy, Director of Governmental Affairs For those who read on the run, this Washington Wire deals solely with the Senate full Committee on Appropriations' markup and passage yesterday of the Labor-HHS-Ed appropriation (hereinafter referred to as the Labor-H bill). For your convenience, we are attaching the link to the full Senate Report numbered 109-287, as well as excerpting within this legislative update the Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research and Special Education accounts. These accounts follow immediately below. Please note that Title I of the Rehabilitation Act will receive the mandatory COLA increase. All other programs under the Rehab Act were basically recommended to be funded at last year's levels. The four important programs in Title III and VI of the Rehab Act, respectively, Supported Employment, Projects With Industry, Migrants and Seasonal Farm workers and Recreation were all funded basically at 2006 levels. You may recall the Administration's budget called for the consolidation/elimination of these important programs. The Senate Appropriators are recommending an additional 3.827 million in Demos and Training for enhancing transition outcomes for eligible young adults with disabilities and an additional 2 million in the Special Ed Account for this same purpose. We are also providing the link to the Senate Conference Report for your information, as well as the Congressional Quarterly (CQ) piece that appeared in yesterday's edition. Please note in the CQ piece Senator Specter's comments on cuts in job training. If there is a Continuing Resolution this year, as most expect, the levels of funding would be at, in all probability, the lower of the amounts between the House and Senate bills. (Senate Report 109-287 ) REHABILITATION SERVICES AND DISABILITY RESEARCH Appropriations, 2006 3,125,544,000 Budget estimate, 2007 3,180,414,000 House allowance 3,244,247,000 Committee recommendation 3,248,312,000 The Committee recommends 3,248,312,000 for rehabilitation services and disability research. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level is 3,125,544,000 and the budget request includes 3,180,414,000 for programs in this account. The authorizing statute for programs funded in this account, except for those authorized under the Assistive Technology Act, expired September 30, 2004. The program descriptions provided below assume the continuation of current law. Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants The Committee provides 2,837,160,000 for vocational rehabilitation grants to States. The Committee recommendation provides the full amount authorized by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2006 is 2,720,192,000 and the budget request includes 2,837,160,000 for this program. Basic State grant funds assist States in providing a range of services to help persons with physical and mental disabilities prepare for and engage in meaningful employment. Authorizing legislation requires States to give priority to persons with the most significant disabilities. Funds are allotted to States based on a formula that takes into account population and per capita income. States must provide a 21.3 percent match of Federal funds, except the State's share is 50 percent for the cost of construction of a facility for community rehabilitation program purposes. The Rehabilitation Act requires that no less than 1 percent and not more than 1.5 percent of the appropriation in fiscal year 2007 for vocational rehabilitation State grants be set aside for grants for Indians. Service grants are awarded to Indian tribes on a competitive basis to help tribes develop the capacity to provide vocational rehabilitation services to American Indians with disabilities living on or near reservations. Client Assistance The Committee recommends 11,782,000 for the client assistance program. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request both are 11,782,000 for authorized activities. The client assistance program funds State formula grants to assist vocational rehabilitation clients or client applicants in understanding the benefits available to them and in their relationships with service providers. Funds are distributed to States according to a population-based formula, except that increases in minimum grants are guaranteed to each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, and guaranteed to each of the outlying areas, by a percentage not to exceed the percentage increase in the appropriation. States must operate client assistance programs in order to receive vocational rehabilitation State grant funds. Training The Committee recommends 38,438,000 for training rehabilitation personnel. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request both are 38,438,000 for training activities. The purpose of this program is to ensure that skilled personnel are available to serve the rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities. It supports training, traineeships, and related activities designed to increase the numbers of qualified personnel providing rehabilitation services. The program awards grants and contracts to States and public or nonprofit agencies and organizations, including institutions of higher education, to pay all or part of the cost of conducting training programs. Long-term, in-service, short-term, experimental and innovative, and continuing education programs are funded, as well as special training programs and programs to train interpreters for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind. Demonstration and Training Programs The Committee bill includes 12,603,000 for demonstration and training programs for persons with disabilities. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level and budget request both are 6,511,000 for authorized activities. This program awards grants to States and nonprofit agencies and organizations to develop innovative methods and comprehensive services to help individuals with disabilities achieve satisfactory vocational outcomes. Demonstration programs support projects for individuals with a wide array of disabilities. Within the Committee recommendation, 3,827,000 is available to support the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services' Special Education--Vocational Rehabilitation Transition Initiative. Together with the 2,000,000 provided under the Special Education account, these funds will be used to assist States with improving high school graduation rates and post-school outcomes for students with disabilities. The Committee recommendation also includes bill language requiring that funds be provided to the following organizations in the amounts specified: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amount --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, in partnership with the Lions Club, statewide, to expand services to low-vision Alaskans 250,000 American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, Alexandria, VA, for continued support of Project Quantum Leap 500,000 Cleveland Sight Center, Cleveland, OH, for the development of Braille technology 300,000 Deaf Blind Service Center, Seattle, WA, for the National Support Service Provider pilot project 300,000 Enable America, Inc., Tampa, Florida, for civic/citizenship demonstration project for disabled adults 500,000 Groden Center, Providence, RI, for the Arts and Business Training Center 100,000 Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults, Sands Point, NY for program support 2,000,000 Kenai Peninsula Independent Living Center, Homer, AK, for the Total Recreation and Independent Living Services Project 200,000 National Ability Center, Park City, UT, to provide ADA accessible transportation for individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities 250,000 National Sports Center for the Disabled, Denver, CO, for adaptive equipment, sports program expansion and research 500,000 Pennsylvania Association for the Blind, Enola, PA, for specialized services for the blind or visually impaired 100,000 Rainbow Center for Communicative Disorders, Blue Springs, MO, to expand day habilitation programming available to individuals with severe disabilities 300,000 Southeast Alaska Independent Living, Juneau, AK, to continue a joint recreation and employment project with the Tlingit and Haida Tribe of Alaska in Southeast Alaska 200,000 Vocational Guidance Services, Cleveland, OH, for equipment acquisition which will help automate sewing operations and improve employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities 300,000 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers The Committee recommends 2,279,000 for migrant and seasonal farmworkers, the same amount as the comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level. The administration proposes eliminating separate funding for this program. This program provides grants limited to 90 percent of the costs of the projects providing comprehensive rehabilitation services to migrant and seasonal farm workers with disabilities and their families. Projects also develop innovative methods for reaching and serving this population. The program emphasizes outreach, specialized bilingual rehabilitation counseling, and coordination of vocational rehabilitation services with services from other sources. Recreational Programs The Committee provides 2,518,000 for recreational programs, the same amount as the comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level. The budget request does not include funding for this program. Recreational programs help finance activities such as sports, music, dancing, handicrafts, and art to aid in the employment, mobility, and socialization of individuals with disabilities. Grants are awarded to States, public agencies, and nonprofit private organizations, including institutions of higher education. Grants are awarded for a 3-year period with the Federal share at 100 percent for the first year, 75 percent for the second year, and 50 percent for the third year. Programs must maintain the same level of services over the 3-year period. Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights The Committee recommends 16,489,000 for protection and advocacy of individual rights. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request both are 16,489,000. This program provides grants to agencies to protect and advocate for the legal and human rights of persons with disabilities who are not eligible for protection and advocacy services available through the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act or the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act. Projects with Industry The Committee recommends 19,246,000 for projects with industry. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level is 19,538,000 and the administration proposes eliminating separate funding for this program. The projects with industry [PWI] program promotes greater participation of business and industry in the rehabilitation process. PWI provides training and experience in realistic work settings to prepare individuals with disabilities for employment in the competitive job market. Postemployment support services are also provided. The program supports grants to a variety of agencies and organizations, including corporations, community rehabilitation programs, labor and trade associations, and foundations. Supported Employment State Grants The Committee's bill includes 29,700,000 for the supported employment State grant program. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level is 29,700,000 and the administration proposes eliminating separate funding for this program. This program assists the most severely disabled individuals by providing the ongoing support needed to obtain competitive employment. Short-term vocational rehabilitation services are augmented with extended services provided by State and local organizations. Federal funds are distributed on the basis of population. Independent Living State Grants The Committee recommends 22,588,000 for independent living State grants. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2006 and the budget request both are 22,588,000 for authorized activities. The independent living State formula grants program provides funding to improve independent living services, support the operation of centers for independent living, conduct studies and analysis, and provide training and outreach. Independent Living Centers The Committee recommends 74,638,000 for independent living centers. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request both are 74,638,000 for the centers. These funds support consumer-controlled, cross-disability, nonresidential, community-based centers that are designed and operated within local communities by individuals with disabilities. These centers provide an array of independent living services. Independent Living Services for Older Blind Individuals The Committee provides 32,895,000 for independent living services to older blind individuals. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request both are 32,895,000 for these activities. Through this program, assistance is provided to persons aged 55 or older to adjust to their blindness, continue living independently and avoid societal costs associated with dependent care. Services may include the provision of eyeglasses and other visual aids, mobility training, braille instruction and other communication services, community integration, and information and referral. These services help older individuals age with dignity, continue to live independently and avoid significant societal costs associated with dependent care. The services most commonly provided by this program are daily living skills training, counseling, the provision of low-vision devices community integration, information and referral, communication devices, and low-vision screening. Program Improvement Activities The Committee recommends 835,000 for program improvement activities. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request both are 835,000 for authorized activities. In fiscal year 2007, funds for these activities will continue to support technical assistance efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the vocational rehabilitation program and improve accountability efforts. The funds provided are sufficient to support technical assistance and other ongoing program improvement activities, such as improved program performance measurement. Evaluation The Committee recommends 1,473,000 for evaluation activities. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request both are 1,473,000 for such activities. These funds support evaluations of the impact and effectiveness of programs authorized by the Rehabilitation Act. The Committee recommendation continues to support a new multi-year study of the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services program. The Department awards competitive contracts for studies to be conducted by persons not directly involved with the administration of Rehabilitation Act programs. Helen Keller National Center The Committee recommends 8,511,000 for the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level and budget request both are 8,511,000 for this purpose. The Helen Keller National Center consists of a national headquarters in Sands Point, New York, with a residential training and rehabilitation facility where deaf-blind persons receive intensive specialized services; a network of 10 regional field offices which provide referral and counseling assistance to deaf-blind persons; and an affiliate network of agencies. At the recommended level, the center would serve more than 110 persons with deaf-blindness at its headquarters facility and provide field services to approximately 2,400 individuals and families and approximately 1,100 organizations. National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research The Committee recommends 106,705,000 for the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research [NIDRR]. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request both are 106,705,000 for authorized activities. NIDRR develops and implements a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the conduct of research, demonstration projects, and related activities that enable persons with disabilities to better function at work and in the community, including the training of persons who provide rehabilitation services or who conduct rehabilitation research. The Institute awards competitive grants to support research in federally designated priority areas, including rehabilitation research and training centers, rehabilitation engineering research centers, research and demonstration projects, and dissemination and utilization projects. NIDRR also supports field-initiated research projects, research training, and fellowships. The Committee commends NIDRR for recognizing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [CFS] as an unmet area of research. The Committee encourages NIDRR to continue to pursue CFS-related research proposals through its investigator-initiated and other grants programs. Assistive Technology The Committee recommends 30,452,000 for assistive technology. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level is 30,452,000 and the budget request includes 22,389,000 for some of the activities authorized by the Assistive Technology Act of 1998. The Assistive Technology program is designed to improve occupational and educational opportunities and the quality of life for people of all ages with disabilities through increased access to assistive technology services and devices. The program support various activities that help States to develop comprehensive, consumer-responsive statewide programs that increase access to, and the availability of, assistive technology devices and services. Under the recent reauthorization, the administration of this program was moved to the Rehabilitation Services Administration from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. The reauthorization also requires that an annual report be submitted to Congress by December 31 of each year. The Committee recommendation includes 24,425,000 for State grant activities authorized under section 4, 4,975,000 for protection and advocacy systems authorized by section 5, and 1,052,000 for technical assistance activities authorized under section 6. The Committee encourages States to use the additional funds provided for State grant activities authorized under section 4 for State-level alternative financing programs. The Committee is concerned that funds are not be utilized as intended to expand access to assistive technology devices and services directly through State programs or based on coordination and collaboration with other alternative financing programs operated in a State. The Committee looks forward to reviewing the Department's mandated report on State implementation of this program, particularly the activities related to State financing and coordination and collaboration SPECIAL EDUCATION Appropriations, 2006 11,653,013,000 Budget estimate, 2007 11,697,502,000 House allowance 11,753,013,000 Committee recommendation 11,610,367,000 The Committee recommends 11,610,367,000 for special education programs authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA]. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level is 11,653,013,000 and the budget request includes 11,697,502,000 for such programs. No Child Left Behind [NCLB] and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA 04]- The Committee is aware of the effort made on behalf of students with disabilities as changes in NCLB policy have directly impacted these students as States have been given flexibility in assessment options with the Interim Two Percent Policy and Draft Two Percent Rule. The Committee believes the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services should strengthen and increase its role in recommending guidance to States and LEAs that will define how students are identified for the Two Percent Rule and ensure eligible students have every possible opportunity for full and consistent participation in the general education curriculum and be on track to graduate with a regular diploma. Specific Learning Disabilities [SLD]- The Committee commends the Office of Special Education Programs [OSEP] for its consistent efforts to support and conduct work on behalf of individuals with specific learning disabilities. The Committee believes OSEP should assist States and LEAs in identifying the criteria for determining an SLD and ensuring the consistency and integrity of the classification system across the States, and provide guidance and technical assistance systems for the improvement of SLD identification and eligibility. OSEP should disseminate to and assist both States and LEAs with replicable models that produce measurable positive improvements in student learning, including reliable and valid information on Responsiveness/Response to Intervention [RTI]. OSEP should provide positive, proactive guidance, based on the well established RTI models in the country, on the appropriate use of RTI in the eligibility process. OSEP should seek counsel from practitioner leaders as well as university researchers to accomplish this function. The Committee encourages OSEP to coordinate with the Parent Training and Information Centers, National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities and other national partners to disseminate information about accurate identification of SLDs to parents, including information on RTI, so parents will have a firm understanding of what the process may look like in their school and how to be informed and be an active partner in the process. The Committee also encourages OSEP to coordinate efforts within the Department of Education, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and other Federal agencies working on related activities. No Child Left Behind [NCLB] and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA 04]- The Committee urges OSEP to improve and increase its activities to educate parents of students with learning disabilities with the critical information they need to understand the impact of the Individualized Education Program Team decisions related to options for statewide assessments required by NCLB and how to improve the academic achievement of students through School Choice, Supplemental Education Services and other provisions of NCLB. The Committee encourages OSEP to develop a Toolkit for Parents of Students with Disabilities to accompany and reflect the information made available to parents of required NCLB subgroups through the Office of Communications and Outreach. The Committee notes that parents of students with disabilities need essential information on NCLB to ensure their student has every possible opportunity for full and consistent participation in the general education curriculum and to be on track to graduate with a regular diploma. Grants to States The Committee recommends 10,582,961,000 for special education grants to States, as authorized under part B of the IDEA. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level is 10,582,961,000 and the budget request includes 10,682,961,000. This program provides formula grants to assist States, Outlying Areas, and other entities in meeting the costs of providing special education and related services for children with disabilities. States pass along most of these funds to local educational agencies, but may reserve some for program monitoring, enforcement, technical assistance, and other activities. The appropriation for this program primarily supports activities associated with the 2007-2008 academic year. Of the funds available for this program, 5,158,761,000 will become available on July 1, 2007 and 5,424,200,000 will become available on October 1, 2007. These funds will remain available for obligation until September 30, 2008. The budget request includes language capping the Department of Interior set-aside at the prior year level, adjusted by the lower of the increase in inflation or the increase in the appropriation for grants to States. The Committee bill includes this language. Preschool Grants The Committee recommends 380,751,000 for preschool grants. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request both are 380,751,000. The preschool grants program provides formula grants to States to assist them in making available special education and related services for children with disabilities aged 3 through 5. States distribute a significant share of the funds to local educational agencies, if they serve all eligible children with disabilities aged 3 through 5 and have an approved application under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Grants for Infants and Families The Committee recommends 436,400,000 for grants for the infants and families program under part C of the IDEA. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request both are 436,400,000. This program provides formula grants to States, Outlying Areas and other entities to implement statewide systems of coordinated, comprehensive, multidisciplinary interagency programs to make available early intervention services to all children with disabilities, ages 2 and under, and their families. State Personnel Development The Committee recommendation does not include a fiscal year 2007 appropriation for the State personnel development program. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level is 50,146,000 and the budget request does not include any funds for this program. The program formerly was known as the State improvement grant program, until it was changed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. Under the reauthorization, this program focuses on the professional development needs in States by requiring that 90 percent of funds be used for professional development activities. The program supports grants to State educational agencies to help them reform and improve their personnel preparation and professional development related to early intervention, educational and transition services that improve outcomes for students with disabilities. The Committee understands that the fiscal year 2006 appropriation is available still for use to cover the costs associated with fiscal year 2007 awards, so it has concurred with the budget request to not provide any funds under this authority in fiscal year 2007. Transition Initiative The Committee recommendation includes 2,000,000 for this initiative, which is intended to support State efforts to develop and use data to improve post-school outcomes for students with disabilities. The budget request includes 2,000,000 for this new initiative. Funds would be used to help States improve high school graduation rates; identify effective interventions such as counseling, personnel training and transition services; establish better data collection systems; and analyze and use student information through research-based practices. Grants would be made to State educational agencies on a competitive basis. The Committee recommendation also includes 3,827,000 under the demonstration and training program in the Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research account to support this initiative. Technical Assistance and Dissemination The Committee recommends 48,903,000 for technical assistance and dissemination. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request both are 48,903,000 for these activities. This program supports awards for technical assistance, model demonstration projects, the dissemination of useful information and other activities. Funding supports activities that are designed to improve the services provided under IDEA. Personnel Preparation The Committee recommends 89,720,000 for the personnel preparation program. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request both are 89,720,000 for this program. Funds support competitive awards to help address State-identified needs for personnel who are qualified to work with children with disabilities, including special education teachers and related services personnel. The reauthorization of IDEA also establishes requirements to fund several other broad areas including training for leadership personnel and personnel who work with children with low incidence disabilities, and providing enhanced support for beginning special educators. Parent Information Centers The Committee recommends 25,704,000 for parent information centers. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request both are 25,704,000 for authorized activities. This program makes awards to parent organizations to support parent training and information centers, including community parent resource centers. These centers provide training and information to meet the needs of parents of children with disabilities living in the areas served by the centers, particularly underserved parents, and parents of children who may be inappropriately identified. Technology and Media Services The Committee recommends 38,428,000 for technology and media services. The comparable fiscal year 2006 funding level is 38,428,000 and the budget request includes 31,063,000 for such activities. This program makes competitive awards to support the development, demonstration, and use of technology, and educational media activities of value to children with disabilities. The Committee recommendation includes 11,880,000 for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, Inc. [RFB&D]. These funds support the continued development, production, and circulation of recorded textbooks, increased outreach activities to print-disabled students and their teachers, and accelerated use of digital technology. The administration proposed eliminating the earmark for RFB&D for these activities. The Committee also recommends 1,485,000 to continue support of the Reading Rockets program, administered by the Greater Washington Educational Television Association. Last year, this program received 1,448,000. The administration proposed eliminating support for this program. Special Olympics Education Programs The Committee recommendation includes 5,500,000 for Special Olympics education programs. This is a new program in fiscal year 2007 and the budget request did not include any funds for this purpose. Under the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004, the Secretary is authorized to provide financial assistance to Special Olympics for activities that promote the expansion of Special Olympics and for the design and implementation of education programs that can be integrated into classroom instruction and are consistent with academic content standards. CQ TODAY – APPROPRIATIONS: LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION July 20, 2006 – 7:23 p.m. Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations: Specter Laments Slim Funds, Cuts to NIH By Alex Wayne, CQ Staff Sen. Arlen Specter had nothing good to say Thursday about the fiscal 2007 spending bill he wrote for the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education. The Pennsylvania Republican, by way of outlining the bill (HR 5647) to the Senate Appropriations Committee before it was approved, read a list of more than 20 cuts to job training, health and education programs included in the legislation. The bill, he told the committee, is “constituting what I view as really the disintegration of the appropriate federal role in health, education and worker protections,” a remark that Democrat Richard J. Durbin of Illinois would later read back to Specter in astonishment. Despite an utter lack of enthusiasm for its work, the Appropriations Committee approved the spending bill 28-0, en bloc with three other appropriations bills. Specter, bemoaning his position as chairman of the Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee, said it wasn’t much fun to be an appropriator these days: “We don’t have money to appropriate anymore.” And he said he would suggest that the committee reject the bill, except that “there’s no where else to go.” The 606 billion bill includes 142.8 billion in discretionary spending. The rest is mandatory spending for Medicaid, Medicare, unemployment insurance and other entitlement programs. The discretionary spending is 1.3 billion more than was allocated in fiscal 2006 (PL 109-149) and 5 billion more than President Bush requested. It includes 11.6 billion for the Department of Labor, 64.2 billion for HHS and 55.8 billion for the Education Department. Even though the bill’s overall discretionary spending grew, many individual programs were cut as appropriators tried to steer money toward their priorities. For instance, the bill would provide 28.5 billion to the National Institutes of Health, a Specter priority. That is 220 million more than was allocated in 2006 and 200 million more than Bush requested, but it still falls short of what Specter wanted. “NIH, the so-called jewel of the federal government, is 3.78 billion below the inflation-adjusted fiscal year 2005 level,” he said. The committee rejected by voice vote an amendment by Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., that would have increased spending on grants to schools with many low-income children, known as Title 1, by 6.1 billion. Increasing Title 1 spending was a key feature of the 2001 education overhaul law known as No Child Left Behind (PL 107-110). But Byrd said that, to date, appropriations for Title 1 have lagged authorized spending in No Child Left Behind by 43.7 billion. Specter said he voted against Byrd’s amendment “reluctantly” but also said that if he had an extra 6.1 billion for the bill, he would spend it on other programs along with Title 1. Senate and House appropriators will have many issues to negotiate when they eventually reconcile their separate versions of the Labor-HHS-Education bills. The House version, for starters, includes about 1 billion less in discretionary spending. One major policy issue the two chambers will have to reconcile is Pell grants. House appropriators would raise the maximum Pell grant — for low-income college students — to 4,150, the first increase in five years. The Senate bill would leave the maximum grant at 4,050. The difference in spending on Pell grants between the two bills is about 402 million. Amid all the gloom, Larry E. Craig, R-Idaho, tried to be positive. He noted that a manager’s amendment by Specter that the committee adopted by voice vote contained, “should I say, joyful news.” It included language that directs the Education Department to partner with bands such as the Oak Ridge Boys to teach American schoolchildren the national anthem, Craig said. “The subcommittee is good at putting in joyful language as long as no dollars are involved,” Specter retorted.
Home   Our History Gov't Affairs   Membership   Publications   Events   Affiliates   Awards   Feature   Members Only
	[an error occurred while processing this directive]