Decisions made by Congress ultimately impact public education nationwide, and the 2020 federal budget is no different. Although the fiscal year began on October 1, no fiscal year (FY) 2020 spending bills have reached President Donald Trump’s desk. In order to prevent a government shutdown, Congress passed a continuing resolution that will fund the federal government through November 21.  

This is vastly different than the FY 2019 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (LHHS-ED) appropriations bill, which was passed before the start of the fiscal year for the first time since the 1990s. While this covered the funds impacting public education, multiple other appropriations bills were pushed until after November elections. The 115th Congress could not agree on a final spending package, leading to the longest government shutdown in history.  

The House and Senate staff are expected to continue to meet to negotiate the FY 2020 LHHS-ED appropriations bill. PSBA All-Access members receive regular updates on Congressional action and developing federal legislation that impacts public education. Federal Focus provides easily digestible content to school leaders so they can focus on their school and students. If you are not currently an All-Access member but are interested in this benefit and others included in the membership, please contact your member services manager for more information.  

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