Hello all, Below are a few updates related to relief funding, earmarks, and the confirmation of Dr. Miguel Cardona. Return of Earmarks: On Friday, Rosa DeLaura (D-CT), House Appropriations Committee chair announced that the House will accept requests for Member for Community Project Funding (previously referred to as “earmarks”) in upcoming appropriations bills. Senate Appropriations Chair, Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said that the Senate is working on an agreement for its appropriations process. See Rep. DeLauro’s press release<https://appropriations.house.gov/news/press-releases/delauro-announces-community-project-funding-in-fiscal-year-2022> outlining process for requests, restrictions, transparency requirements, and vetting processes. Budget Reconciliation: Late Friday/early Saturday morning, the House passed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan<https://amendments-rules.house.gov/amendments/ARPA%20Managers%20Amendment%202-23%2011_Yarmuth210223192835791.pdf>, the reconciliation bill that contains hundreds of billions for education-related needs. See the attached file from CEF with a side-by-side list of the House-passed bill along with previous proposed and passed relief funding for education. The Senate is expected to take up its own, slightly different, version this week and debate it under the reconciliation procedures that require only a simple majority to pass. Secretary of Education: Yesterday, the Senate confirmed Dr. Miguel Cardona’s nomination as Secretary of Education with a vote of 64-33. Secretary Cardona will oversee the process for crafting of the President’s FY22 budget request as well as implementation of the COVID-relief funding for education that was approved in late December. House Budget Committee Chair John Yarmuth (D-KY) mentioned last week that the President’s budget request will likely not be sent to Congress until mid-to-late April. Best, Michele MICHELE DIECUCH | Senior Director of Programs Pronouns: She, Her, Hers ________________________________ ProLiteracy<http://www.proliteracy.org/> | 101 Wyoming St. | Syracuse, NY 13204 p 315.214.2576 | f 315.422.6369 | mdiecuch@proliteracy.org<mailto:mdiecuch@proliteracy.org> Find us and follow us on Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/pages/ProLiteracy/59618669707> and Twitter<http://twitter.com/#!/ProLitWorld>. Help ProLiteracy advance the cause of adult literacy.<http://www.proliteracy.org/give> [2021-01-PL-EmailSignatures-Q3-WHF-1110]<https://www.proliteracy.org/write-her-future>