The Senate returned to Washington last week, while the House is scheduled to return at the beginning of this week. Congressional action was minimal, with weather delays and funerals for former Members of Congress impacting the schedule. Congress also marked the one-year anniversary of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. As Congress reconvenes, there is significant attention on the potential timing of a vote on the Build Back Better Act, pending any agreement between Democratic congressional leaders, the Biden Administration and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV). You can still contact your senators – especially Democratic senators – and ask them to maintain the $700 million investment in Perkins, $5 billion for community college and industry partnership grants and the overall $40 billion allocation for workforce development included in the House-passed version of the bill. Here is the latest news from snowy Washington: 

• Department of Labor Announces Trucking Apprenticeship Challenge: The Department of Labor has announced the 90-Day Trucking Apprenticeship Challenge to promote the apprenticeship model as a solution to get more well-trained drivers on the road. The Challenge, which kicked off on December 16, asks employers who are ready to step up to commit to accelerating the development of new apprenticeship programs and help expand existing ones through new employer and labor partnerships to support recruitment, retention and return on investment in the trucking industry. You can learn more about the challenge here. 
   
• Department of Labor Accepting Applications for Apprenticeship Ambassador Program: The Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative seeks to create a national network of employers, labor organizations, industry associations, program sponsors, educators, workforce intermediaries, minority serving organizations, community-based organizations and other stakeholders to serve as champions for expanding and diversifying registered apprenticeship programs. You can learn more and apply for the program here. 
   
• Senate HELP Committee Set to Reapprove Dr. Amy Loyd to Lead OCTAE: The White House has re-sent the nomination of Amy Loyd to serve as Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education at the Department of Education to the Senate. Her nomination expired at the end of the 1st Session of the 117th Congress after originally advancing out of Committee on a voice vote, requiring President Biden to renominate Dr. Loyd for the position. A full Senate confirmation vote will be forthcoming, but has not been scheduled. 

• Department of Education Releases Updated Guidance on COVID-19 Mitigation: The Department of Education has released updated guidance on COVID-19 mitigation strategies for K-12 schools. 
   
• Department of Education Approves Additional ARP-ESSER Funds: The Department of Education announced that it has approved ARP-ESSER plans for Mississippi, Vermont and Florida. ARP-ESSER funds are used to support schools and students as they reopen for in-person learning, and to help sustain the safe operation of schools. With the approval of Florida’s plan, all state plans for the usage of ESSER funds have now been approved by the Department of Education.

As January kicks off, Congress returns to Washington this week with several items still unresolved, including funding the government to avoid a government shutdown on February 18 and continuing negotiations in the Senate on the Build Back Better Act. Senate leadership is now aiming to bring the Build Back Better Act to the floor for a vote in January if an agreement can be reached between Democratic congressional leaders, the Biden Administration and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV). To this end, you can still contact your senators – especially Democratic senators – and ask them to maintain the $700 million investment in Perkins, $5 billion for community college and industry partnership grants and the overall $40 billion allocation for workforce development included in the House-passed version of the bill. In the meantime, here is the latest news from Washington to catch up on for the new year:

• Biden Administration Extends Student Loan Repayment Pause: On December 22, the Biden Administration announced a 90-day extension of the pause on student loan repayment, interest and collections through May 1, 2022 as COVID-19 continues to impact the nation.
• Department of Labor Awards Funding to Expand Registered Apprenticeships: The Department of Labor has announced more than $8 million in contract investments to industry intermediaries to expand registered apprenticeships in sectors affected by the pandemic. These sectors include the nation’s care economy that serves individuals, families, elderly and persons with disabilities to provide community food and housing, vocational rehabilitation services and childcare services; electric power generation, transmission and distribution; supply chains including semi-conductors, advanced batteries, critical minerals and strategic materials; pharmaceuticals and active ingredients and transportation equipment manufacturing; and transportation and logistics operations for supply chain distribution including air, rail, water and support activities.
• Department of Education Approves Additional ARP-ESSER Funds: The Department of Education announced that it has approved ARP-ESSER plans for Mississippi and Vermont. ARP-ESSER funds are used to support schools and students as they reopen for in-person learning, and to help sustain the safe operation of schools.
• Department of Education Releases Draft Guidance for Resuming K-12 Accountability: On December 17, the Department released draft FAQs and additional guidance to help states resume full testing and accountability.

• Congressional Calendars for 2022 Available: Both the House and Senate have announced their tentative schedules for the year, including time in session, Committee work weeks, and state and district work periods where policymakers are not in DC. You can view a compilation of the calendars from CQ Roll Call here.