Dear Colleagues, As we begin the new year with hope for brighter days ahead, the congressional outlook has remained much the same as last year. This week the House is not in session, but the Senate is. Several members faced delays making their way back [...]

Dear Colleagues: I write to you with news of a change in the Washington Update as we start the new year. After 7 years, I will be stepping away from writing Washington Update and the talented Dr. Kaitlyn Brennan will be taking over. As you [...]

Dear Colleagues, All eyes are moving toward the holidays as Congress looks to leave town with a full plate upon their January return. 1. Congress Looks to Head Home for the Holidays Leaving Unfinished Business for Next Year With the temporary fix to fund the government [...]

Dear Colleagues, At long last, Congress is on the move, with the clock ticking! 1. Congress Checks Another Item Off The “Must-Do” List Last week lawmakers in Congress rallied to unite behind a deal that keeps the government funded at its current levels through February [...]

Dear Colleagues, It’s the end-of-year countdown season for Congress and a lot is at stake! Read on. 1. Congress Races to the Finish Line On Thursday, just 36 hours before government funding was set to lapse, lawmakers rallied to unite behind a deal that will keep the [...]

Dear Colleagues, Democrats in Congress are taking a victory lap as they leave town today for a weeklong Thanksgiving recess next week.  With House passage of the Build Back Better Act, the Biden agenda is one step closer to enactment.  But the Senate will have [...]

Dear Colleagues, While Congress has been out of session this week for a Veteran’s Day recess, the action behind the scenes continues to be dominated by the prospects of finalizing the reconciliation bill, or the Build Back Better plan.  Educators are eager to see this [...]

Dear Colleagues, Educators watched closely this week as local elections around the country provided hints for what may be coming in next year’s Congressional midterms and even the 2024 Presidential race. With the victory of Republican Glenn Youngkin for Virginia’s next governor, the spotlight was [...]

Dear Colleagues, We had planned to take today off for Washington Update, but alas there is some good breaking news that we wanted to share!  While the educator pipeline funds have been significantly pared down in the just-released draft of the reconciliation bill, $610 million remains!  While [...]

Dear Colleagues, There are important education developments from Congress, the White House and the Department of Education this week, as the December 3 deadline to keep the government funded looms large. 1. Appropriations Bills on the Move? As you will recall, in July the House [...]