Today, President Obama will sign into law a funding bill which will keep the federal government running for another three weeks -- until April 8th -- thereby avoiding a government shutdown and setting up timing for the next funding battle in Washington, DC.
This stop-gap measure, known as a 'continuing resolution', is the latest in a series of temporary funding bills which have kept the federal government running for short periods of time since the federal fiscal year began on October 1, 2010. Importantly, while this continuing resolution does cut $6 billion from federal programs, it does not cut any education programs.
Over the last five months, since the 2011 fiscal year began, Congress has wrangled over setting funding levels. Many lawmakers have been pressing for deep cuts to all federal programs, including education. Just last month, CEC and its members thwarted threats to slash special education by over $500 million. However, restoring this special education funding came at the expense of critical education programs for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and professional development, a ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’ practice that CEC opposes.
Over the next three weeks, Congress will attempt to craft a compromise to set final FY 2011 levels for the remaining six months of the fiscal year. If Congress’ action over the last few months have been any indication, funding for every federal program is in jeopardy for cuts or total elimination. Stay tuned to this blog for CEC updates and action alerts!
Comments