- Congress works to avoid a government shutdown
- Linda McMahon confirmed as Secretary of Education
- ED issues additional guidance on recent Dear Colleague Letter
- House subcommittee remains focused on WIOA reauthorization
Congress works to avoid a government shutdown
Lawmakers in the House and Senate face a looming deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown. Last year, Congress passed a short-term funding bill – called a continuing resolution (CR) – to fund the government through March 14. Months later, Congress appears no closer to finalizing Fiscal Year 2025 (FY 25) spending levels, and political dynamics have become even more complicated.
At the close of last calendar year, the Senate had advanced twelve bipartisan FY 25 funding bills, but House conservatives continued to push for further domestic spending reductions. The chambers were unable to bridge the gap and voted instead to extend FY 24 spending levels to March. Today, disagreements over topline funding levels persist, alongside intense debate over policy riders and support for/opposition to actions taken by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Appropriations bills require 60 votes to pass the Senate, requiring support from Democrats. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) is tasked with navigating a razor-thin majority in the House and will likely need to secure votes from Democrats as well.
Congress will not be able to pass FY 25 spending bills ahead of the March 14 deadline, necessitating another CR. This could be another short-term CR to allow Congress more time to negotiate, although reports indicate that Republican leadership may be interested in advancing a long-term CR to fund the government at FY 24 levels through the end of the fiscal year. It is not clear if this idea will be able to generate the requisite support. It is also not yet known if any FY 25 Congressionally Directed Spending projects would be included in a long-term CR.
Linda McMahon confirmed as Secretary of Education
On Monday, the Senate confirmed Linda McMahon to serve as Secretary of Education in a 51-45 party-line vote.
As covered by Matthew Dembicki in the Community College Daily, McMahon voiced her support for career and technical education, the Pell Grant program, and expanding Pell Grants to short-term workforce programs during her Senate confirmation last month. She faced a number of questions about President Trump’s intention to close the Department of Education (ED). While McMahon shared her support for the President’s vision, she acknowledged that closing the agency would require Congressional approval.
ED issues additional guidance on recent Dear Colleague Letter
Last Friday, the Department of Education (ED) released a new set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to the February 14 Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) on Title VI enforcement and institutions’ nondiscrimination obligations. The FAQs add further clarity to the agency’s interpretation of the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (SFFA) case and how the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) intends to investigate and adjudicate any policies it deems to be discriminatory.
House subcommittee remains focused on WIOA reauthorization
On Wednesday, the House Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee held a hearing on “Strengthening WIOA: Improving Outcomes for America’s Workforce.” As covered by AACC’s Matthew Dembicki in the Community College Daily, the hearing reaffirmed the subcommittee’s bipartisan interest in reauthorizing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and advancing last year’s bipartisan A Stronger Workforce for America Act (ASWAA). The hearing featured testimony from Molly Dodge, senior vice president of workforce and careers at Ivy Tech Community College, who highlighted the positive impact of the Strengthening Community College Training Grant (SCCTG) program for workforce programs in the Ivy Tech system. ASWAA includes a provision to authorize the SCCTG program – a top WIOA priority for AACC.