May 28, 2021 - NSBA Weekly Update

Congressional Update

President Biden Releases Full FY22 Budget Request 
Earlier today, May 27, President Biden released his widely anticipated budget request to Congress. In an unusual move, the request included both the President’s desired budget for federal fiscal year (FY) 2022 as well as details regarding the administration’s previously announced American Families and Jobs Plans—proposals that outline the administration’s infrastructure priorities beyond the proposed federal government’s FY22 budget. The budget request provided significant new details regarding the Biden administration’s spending priorities, particularly regarding K-12 education. 

Specifically, President Biden’s FY22 budget proposes $102.8 billion for the U.S. Department of Education’s (USED) discretionary budget. This requested amount is a 41 percent increase over current funding levels or $29.8 billion total. President Biden’s budget request also includes $20 billion in new funding for Title I of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) via the creation of a new “Title I Equity” grant program—above and beyond current funding levels proposed for the remainder of Title I. In addition to this specific proposal, the administration’s budget request also includes a proposed $50 billion in additional mandatory spending investment in the nation’s K-12 infrastructure over five years. Outside of the K-12 education space, the administration is also proposing a new $100 billion investment intended to increase broadband access over ten years. 

The release of this more detailed version of the Biden Administration’s FY22 budget, further increases pressure on Congress to begin the formal budget and appropriations process. As this effort continues to take shape, NSBA’s advocacy team will continue to work with lawmakers to ensure adequate investments are made in the nation’s K-12 education systems and schools.

Administration Update

USED Updates Guidance for K-12 ARP Funding
On Wednesday, May 26, the U.S. Department of Education’s (USED) Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) released an updated FAQ providing guidance to states, school districts, and schools for how they may make use of funding provided by the American Rescue Plan (ARP). The guidance sheds new light on a wide array of issues including explicitly outlining the roles and responsibilities for each eligible recipient of this funding. Additional guidance documents and resources from USED and OESE can be found here. 

President Biden Nominates General Counsel for Education Department 
President Biden announced his intent to nominate Lisa Brown to be the next General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Education (USED). Brown was most recently the Vice President and General Counsel for Georgetown University and has also served in various roles for the Obama Administration. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona issued a statement following the announcement, expressing his support for Brown. The Senate must still consider and approve Brown’s nomination sometime in the future, although a date has not yet been set.

Bills

• H.R.3549 To direct the Secretary of Education to establish a pilot grant program to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive mental health services programs in elementary schools and secondary schools, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6]
  
• H.R.3545 To amend section 2202 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to authorize States to expand the uses of the child care stabilization funds to include support for the creation or enhancement of family child care networks designed to increase, or to improve the quality of, child care provided by family child care providers; and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
  
• H.R.3519 To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to establish a permanent, nationwide electronic benefits transfer program for children during school closures, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]
  
• H.R.3483 To establish a grant program in the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to fund the establishment of centers of excellence to support research, development and planning, implementation, and evaluation of effective programs in financial literacy education for young people and families ages 8 through 24 years old, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Carson, Andre [D-IN-7]
  
• S.1858 A bill to prohibit and prevent seclusion, mechanical restraint, chemical restraint, and dangerous restraints that restrict breathing, and to prevent and reduce the use of physical restraint in schools, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT] 
  
• S.1841 A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend projects relating to children and to provide access to school-based comprehensive mental health programs. Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN] 
  
• S.1839 A bill to coordinate Federal research and development efforts focused on modernizing mathematics in STEM education through mathematical and statistical modeling, including data-driven and computational thinking, problem, project, and performance-based learning and assessment, interdisciplinary exploration, and career connections, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
  
• S.1811 A bill to increase the recruitment and retention of school-based mental health services providers by low-income local educational agencies. Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
  
• S.1780 A bill to remove college cost as a barrier to every student having access to a well-prepared and diverse educator workforce, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

- Courtesy of NSBA's Federal Advocacy & Public Policy Update - Week of May 28, 2021