Capital Update tracks the movement of legislation, the introduction of notable bills, and routine regulatory announcements.
Legislative Action
Ability-To-Benefit Tests
HR 1285
The House Education and Labor Committee last week approved a bill to require college students without high-school diplomas to take a newly mandated test only if they applied for federal aid.
Adult Literacy
HR 751, S 2
The House Education and Labor Committee last week approved a bill authorizing $580 million over four years for literacy programs.
Alexander Nomination
The Senate last week approved the nomination of Lamar Alexander to be Secretary of Education.
Civil Rights
HR 1
The House Education and Labor Committee last week approved a bill to make it easier for employees to win job-discrimination suits.
Disabilities Prevention
S 509
The Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee last week approved legislation to enable the Centers for Disease Control to expand a grant program intended to prevent disabilities and the secondary conditions that can result from them.
Education Budget, 1992
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education last week continued hearings on the education budget.
Extended School Year
S 64
The Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee last week approved a bill authorizing $1 million to create a commission on lengthening the school day or year. The bill would also authorize $10 million for the National Writing Project and $5 million for a competition in which elementary and secondary students would participate in simulated Congressional hearings.
Family Leave
HR 2
The House Post Office and Civil Service Committee last week approved by voice vote the “family and medical leave act.”
Martinez Nomination
The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved the nomination of Bob Martinez to be director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Testing
The House subcommittee on elementary and secondary education held hearings last week on national student testing.
