LAW E-Alert: Congress Poised to Pass Budget

April 28, 2009—Congress is poised to pass a $3.5 trillion fiscal year 2010 budget plan that will back President Obama’s funding priorities. The Conference Committee was able to reach a final agreement on the funding level of the FY2010 budget resolution, which will provide $89.4 billion for the Function 500 account containing the education and labor funding accounts. The Conference Committee also included reconciliation language for education. Reconciliation paves the way for Congress to eliminate the Federal Family Education Loan program and create a single federal-loan program and use the savings to support a Pell Grant mandatory (entitlement) program.

The House and Senate are expected to vote and pass the bill. For more information, please visit: http://www.rules.house.gov/bills_details.aspx?NewsID=4231

In other related Congressional news, Sen. Arlen Specter from Pennsylvania announced today that he is changing parties and will run for re-election as a Democrat. Sen. Specter will retain his seniority in the Senate.

For more Latest Action in Washington, click here.