The House and the Senate are moving forward, but in different directions.
On the House side, we’re seeing activity on education funding for FY2023, which begins Oct. 1. President Biden has proposed historic investments in schools with high poverty rates through Title I funding, in children with disabilities through IDEA, and in community schools.
For the first time ever, bills to eliminate the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) are moving toward a markup that could lead to a vote on the floor. Together, the GPO and WEP deprive 2.5 million dedicated public servants, including many educators, of Social Security benefits they have earned.
On the Senate side, work is underway on a budget reconciliation bill that would require a simple majority to pass rather than the 60 votes normally needed (because of the filibuster). One piece of the bill could lower the cost of some prescription drugs.
Whether these efforts come to fruition remains to be seen. Stay tuned!
In solidarity,
Marc Egan
Government Relations Director
National Education Association
Having a child is one of the most important and personal decisions anyone makes—a decision with lifelong consequences for education, health care, employment, and earnings that affect entire families.
Support the Social Security Fairness Act and the Social Security 2100 Act to repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) that deprive educators of benefits they have earned.
Banning assault weapons will help our students and loved ones feel more secure to go about their daily lives and pursue their dreams. Then I would have the red ‘Take Action’ button.
CHEER: Rep. Al Green (D-TX) gave a speech on the House floor advocating against gun violence and arming teachers. In his words, “Expecting teachers to take out bad guys with guns is unreasonable, outrageous, and dumb.”
By a vote of 48-46, the Senate confirmed Steve Dettelbach as director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). He is the first Senate-confirmed leader at the helm since 2015, during a period of rising gun violence and mass shootings.
