Capital Update tracks the movement of legislation, the introduction of notable bills, and routine regulatory announcements.
Legislative Action
Job Training
The House Economic and Educational Opportunities Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education and Training held a hearing last week on job-training issues. Witnesses included officials from the local, state, and federal levels of government.
Block Grants
The House Economic and Educational Opportunities Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing last week on consolidating education programs into block grants. Witnesses included Steve Bartlett, the mayor of Dallas and a former committee member, and Linda Morra, a General Accounting Office specialist.
Indian Education
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held an oversight hearing last week on the challenges confronting Native American youths. Students and officials from private foundations and youth-serving organizations spoke on topics ranging from education and employment to substance abuse and violence.
Budget Reforms
HR 1, HR 2
The House voted 294 to 134 last week to give the President line-item-veto power on spending bills and some tax legislation. The Senate continued to debate its version of the bill late last week, as well as a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would require a balanced federal budget. The House passed such an amendment earlier.