TED Washington Update, September 30, 2024
Dear Colleagues:
We have a packed update this week- let’s get right to it.
The Senate passed a stopgap funding bill, preventing a government shutdown and extending the deadline to Dec. 20. President Biden is expected to sign it, setting up potential post-election funding disputes. Despite former President Trump's push for a shutdown over noncitizen voting, a bipartisan agreement was reached. The bill maintains current agency budgets but excludes additional funds for areas like the Pentagon.
The Education Department mishandled FAFSA updates, leading to delays and a drop in completion rates. A GAO report cited poor management and inadequate testing. A full release is planned by Dec. 1, but staffing increases may not fully resolve issues.
To improve access to childcare for disabled children and parents, the GAO recommended better communication from HHS and ED. Barriers include inaccessibility and service delays, with providers facing staffing and funding challenges.
1. Congress Averts a Government Shutdown
The Senate passed a stopgap funding bill to prevent a government shutdown, delaying the deadline to Dec. 20, just before Christmas. President Biden is expected to sign it, setting up a potential funding clash depending on the results of the November elections. Despite Trump's push for a shutdown over noncitizen voting, Congress passed a bipartisan funding patch.
Speaker Mike Johnson attempted a partisan bill but acknowledged that a shutdown before the elections would hurt the GOP. Post-election, either Trump or Harris will influence the final funding decisions. Congress faced a similar situation after Trump’s 2016 election, leading to a deadline extension.
The current funding patch maintains existing agency budgets, although more funds are needed for veteran benefits and FEMA's disaster relief. The Pentagon’s request for additional submarine funding was excluded. Sen. Jon Tester emphasized the need for a full budget to support national security.
After the election, bipartisan talks will begin on military and non-defense spending. If final bills aren’t passed by the new year, negotiations will intersect with the debt limit and expiring tax cuts, with Republicans calling for linked fiscal discussions.
2. GAO Outlines Botched FAFSA Roll Out
The Education Department mishandled key procedures while updating the FAFSA student aid form, leading to significant delays, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. The report, presented to a House subcommittee, highlighted poor management, lack of testing, and insufficient staffing, with over 20 unresolved technical issues.
The botched rollout caused a 9% drop in form completions, affecting low-income students most. Republicans criticized the department for its lack of responsiveness, and GAO officials noted the Federal Student Aid office's frequent leadership changes. Next year’s form release has been delayed to December, with a phased rollout starting soon.
Many problems, such as application glitches and unanswered student questions, plagued last year’s form. While Democrats defended the department's efforts to fix these issues, they acknowledged the troubled rollout. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona defended the agency’s actions and outlined steps to improve staffing and processes, aiming for a full launch by Dec. 1. However, GAO officials warned that increased staffing doesn't ensure adequate support for students.
3. GAO Recommends Actions for HHS and ED to Improve Access to Early Childhood Education for Parents of Students with Disabilities
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has recommended actions for the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Education (ED) to enhance access to childcare for preschool children and parents with disabilities. Based on surveys from 2019 and 2022, an estimated 2.2 million children and 3 million parents have reported disabilities. After interviews, the GAO identified six key barriers: inaccessible facilities, exclusion from activities, suspension, off-site services, service delays, and safety concerns. Providers cited staffing and funding shortages as major challenges. The GAO suggests better coordination to promote resources like Parent Training and Information Centers.
Until next time, see you on X
Kait
@brennan_kait
*Washington Update will be released intermittently throughout the October and November extended recess.
Do you have a question about Wash Update? A story of something happening in your state? Email me, lets have virtual coffee: kbrennan@kbstrategies.org
