The House of Representatives, by a vote of 322 to 107, approved last week a $17.5-billion budget for the Education Department in fiscal 1986, which began Oct. 1.
The level, as recommended by the Appropriations Committee last month, would effectively cut $1.2- billion from current-services levels, but is $2 billion above President Reagan’s request, according to budget documents.
The department funds are contained in HR 3424, a $104.4-billion bill for the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.
Senate Action Expected
The Senate Appropriations Committee was also expected last week to clear a fiscal 1986 department- spending bill with levels virtually identical to those passed by its education subcommittee.
Once the full Senate passes a bill, the differences between the House and Senate versions of the measure will be ironed out in a conference committee.
Meanwhile, federal programs in the new fiscal year are being funded by a 45-day emergency spending measure.--jh
