Update as of April 25 on U.S.
House and Senate action on HR 1350 (on IDEA Reauthorization)
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In the House:
Rules Committee will be meeting on 4/29:
The bill is scheduled to be considered by the House Rules
Committee on April 29. All amendments that Members want to offer
are due to that Committee by 3:00 p.m. on the 29th. The House
has a "rule" for bills that go to the floor. The purported
reason is to avoid lengthy and unproductive debate and delays.
However, the House Rules Committee is one of the most partisan
Committees on the Hill, so whatever party is in power has the
power to control what gets to the floor and what amendments will
be considered. The "rule" established for floor debate on H.R.
1350 is a "modified closed rule". This means that there could be
some amendments permitted, but only those approved by the Rules
Committee. Here is the link to the Rules Committee page that
explains the process for H.R. 1350. Here
is a list of Rules Committee Members. There are more than 2
times as many
Republicans on the Committee as Democrats.
Republicans:
DAVID DREIER, CA - CHAIRMAN
PORTER GOSS, FL - Vice Chairman
JOHN LINDER, GA
DEBORAH PRYCE, OH
LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART, FL
DOC HASTINGS, WA
SUE MYRICK, NC
PETE SESSIONS, TX (He is the major sponsor of the Family
Opportunity Act)
TOM REYNOLDS, NY
Democrats:
MARTIN FROST, TX - Ranking Minority Member
JAMES P. McGOVERN, MA
ALCEE HASTINGS, FL
LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER, NY
Floor Action 4/30-May 1
The Majority Whip has sent out a notice that floor action on
H.R. 1350 will be on Wednesday, April 30 and Thursday, May 1.
White House: The CCD Education Task Force co-chairs met with two
individuals at the White House on the House bill earlier this
week. White House staff indicated to them that the House bill
tracks the report of the Special Ed Commission and that it meets
WH Principles for IDEA reauthorization. It was reported that the
WH showed some interest in two issues -- more funding for
personnel prep and short-term objectives/three-year v. one-year
IEP.
Senate:
Still working together. Republicans presenting something to
Democrats likely this week. Democrats have time for response --
what happens will determine if there is a bipartisan bill in
Senate.
Kathleen H. McGinley, Ph.D.
Deputy Executive Director for Public Policy
National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems
202-408-9514, ext. 102 |