Capitol Hill discusses education budget

Date Posted: 4/30/2014
As Congress works to prepare legislation that will allocate funds throughout the government, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is making the rounds on Capitol Hill to defend President Obama's FY2015 education budget request. Yesterday, Secretary Duncan appeared before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Republican members of the Committee urged Duncan to work actively with Congress to reauthorize the Early and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)—also known as NCLB—rather than focusing on waivers for states. Meanwhile, Democrats encouraged the Department to increase its focus on student equity throughout the waiver process. Both parties advocated for increased funding and better prioritization for special education. Secretary Duncan told members that he is eager to work on bipartisan, meaningful efforts to reauthorize ESEA but suggested such plans have not surfaced. He also said the Department remains focused on equity and argued that President Obama requested an increase in special education funding. Today, the Secretary headed back to the Capitol to testify before a subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. Topics of discussion again included increased funding for special education and undesirable aspects of the Secretary's waiver process. In addition, Senators touched on funding for Pre-K and charter schools. Check out this blog post for additional insight on today's hearing. Earlier this month, the Secretary appeared before a subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations.
CONVERSATION
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

04/25/2025
Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: April 25, 2025
Contact your state senator to push for action on HB 2. Plus: Make a plan to vote in May 3 local elections, where school matters might be on your ballot. Early voting is underway.

04/25/2025
Texas Senate sends private school voucher bill to the governor as other education bills move through the process
This week in the Senate, committees heard bills dealing with student rights, Holocaust education, and educator misconduct, along with a vague electioneering bill.

04/25/2025
Texas lawmakers move vouchers near the finish line with school finance only halfway through the process
In the words of Davy Crockett, the “party handcuff” finally broke the public education blockade against vouchers in Texas.