Capital Update tracks the movement of legislation, the introduction of notable bills, and routine regulatory announcements.
Legislative Action
Children’s Television
HR 1677
The Senate last week passed legislation limiting commercials during children’s television programming. (See page 25.)
Closed-Caption Television
HR 4267
The House Energy and Commerce Committee last week approved a bill requiring that all televisions sold in the United States be equipped to display closed-caption programming. (See page 25.)
Drug Education
HR 5064, HR 5124
The Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee last week unanimously approved two House-passed bills that would expand drug-education programs.
Education Research
The House Subcommittee on Select Education held a hearing last week on research on the education of at-risk African-American males, and on strategies for the recruitment and training of African-American researchers.
Homeless Children
S 2863
The Senate last week approved a bill that would reauthorize the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to provide emergency food, shelter, health, and education for homeless children and adults through 1993. It contains provisions that would remove barriers that prevent homeless children from attending school, and $50 million for the extra costs of evaluating and providing services for homeless children.
National Report Card
S 3095
The Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee last week approved legislation that would create a committee of governors, Administration officials, and education experts to measure progress toward national education goals.
Radon Testing
S 6575
The Senate last week approved a bill that would require schools in areas designated as a “priority radon area” by the Environmental Protection Agency to test for the gas.
Souter Nomination
The Senate Judiciary Committee last week approved the nomination of David H. Souter to the U.S. Supreme Court. (See page 25.)
Student-Loan Abuse
The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations last week continued its hearings on student-loan abuse.
Teenage-Pregnancy Programs
S 1102
The Senate last week refused to cut off debate on legislation reauthorizing federal teenage-pregnancy and family-planning programs. (See page 22.)