Hi everyone, Here is where we are budget-wise. As Sheryl notes, we’re likely not going to hear about a budget deal until Republicans are done with tax reform. And until Congress agrees on a budget deal, there won't be anything out publicly about new funding levels for the various FY 2018 appropriations bills. So keep an eye on the tax reform process. I’m on the Hill tomorrow on behalf of NCL in CEF meetings with Senator Durbin and Cornyn’s education people. If anyone has met with anyone in these offices of late, it would be good to know. Or if there is some late-breaking news regarding adult education or WIOA I should know about. Otherwise it will be the usual discussion. Bear in mind, of course, that the CEF meetings are mostly big picture discussions about the education budget overall. I’ll let you know if anything interesting comes out of them. Jeff > > I. Policy Intelligence and Education News > > · What’s next? – This week we should see action on a number of fronts, all of which ultimately impact the timing and content of fiscal year (FY) 2018 appropriations. > 1. National Defense Authorization Act – First up is House consideration of the defense bill, which sets a very high authorization level for defense spending for 2018 – far above the defense discretionary cap. That high of a level demonstrates strong support for increasing defense spending this year. > 2. Tax reform – the House plans to consider its tax reform proposal later this week, and the Senate Finance Committee is starting its process with its own version. We’re hearing that Republicans do not want to announce a budget deal to raise discretionary spending caps until after they dispense with tax reform. Until Congress agrees on a budget deal, there will not be any public announcements about new funding levels for the various FY 2018 appropriations bills. > 3. Administration’s disaster funding request – As soon as Thursday, the Administration may send up its third – and possibly final – request for emergency funding to address the recent natural disasters. It’s possible that Congress will package this supplemental funding bill with a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government beyond December 8, when the current CR expires. Alternatively, it could be packaged with the final year-long omnibus funding bill, whenever that is passed. > > · FY 2018 appropriations – Democrats continue to push for parity in raising the non-defense discretionary (NDD) cap by the same amount as the defense cap for FY 2018. Once the new caps are set, the funding total needs to be divided among all the appropriations bills and then negotiations will start on funding levels for the individual programs, all of which will be pulled together in an omnibus appropriations bill. That will take several weeks, which means Congress must pass another CR. Democrats would like to finish up by December 22, but some Republicans are pushing for a CR until the end of January, possibly with the plan to package the omnibus appropriations bill with an increase in the debt ceiling, which will have to pass by then. There are other policy issues pending, including CHIP reauthorization and the DACA program. > > FYI, information on the Republican tax plan and education – For those involved in the tax reform debate, attached is one-pager about the impact of the elimination of the state and local tax deduction on education. In addition, following are links to the letters opposing the tax plan sent to the House <https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/edgroups_taxletter_house_111317.pdf> and the Senate <https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/edgroups_taxletter_senate_111317.pdf> today from 43 education groups, including many CEF members. > Jeff Carter Cell: (202) 374-4387 | @jeffcrtr Past President & Policy Advisor National Coalition for Literacy www.national-coalition-literacy.org <http://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/> jcarter@literacypolicy.org <mailto:jcarter@literacypolicy.org> Vice-President, Committee for Education Funding Executive Director Physicians for Social Responsibility 1111 14th St, NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20005 www.psr.org <http://www.psr.org/> | jcarter@psr.org <mailto:jcarter@psr.org>