Capital Update tracks the movement of legislation, the introduction of notable bills, and routine regulatory announcements.
Legislative Action
Safe Schools
HR 2455
The House last week approved by voice vote HR 2455, which would authorize $50 million for competitive, one-year grants to school districts suffering from high rates of crime and violence. Congress has appropriated $20 million for fiscal 1994. A similar program is to be authorized for five years under pending legislation to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Child-Care Block Grant
The Senate Subcommittee on Children, Families, Drugs, and Alcoholism held a hearing Feb. 24 to discuss the child-care and -development block grant in the context of welfare reform. Advocates fear the need to aid welfare recipients will endanger other child-care funding.
Federal Education Funding
The Senate Budget Committee held a hearing March 4 to discuss the future of federal education funding and a non-binding pledge senators attached to legislation last year calling for the federal government to provide 10 percent of education funding.
The Education Department
Direct Loans
The Education Department published a notice in the Feb. 17 Federal Register asking postsecondary institutions to submit applications to participate in the second round of the new direct-lending program. Applications are due March 30.
