ACA ALERT: Congress Passes FY 2009 Omnibus Spending Bill

Nearly five months into the new fiscal year, Congress finally approved this week a massive $410-billion omnibus spending bill (H.R. 1105), which will fund most domestic discretionary government programs through September 30th.  The bill is now headed to President Obama for his signature.  The omnibus bill includes the nine FY 2009 appropriations bills that Congress failed to pass at the end of 2008, because of a veto threat from then-President George Bush.  The omnibus spending bill provides $19 billion more than President Bush requested for FY 2009, including a $4.45 billion increase for the U.S. Department of Education.

Although the omnibus bill received quick approval in the House of Representatives on February 25, passing by a vote of 245–178, it faced stiff opposition in the Senate, especially among Republicans and a few Democrats, who objected to the plethora of earmarks in the bill.  After nearly two weeks of procedural maneuvering, the Senate finally approved the bill on March 10 by voice vote after voting 62-35 to cut off debate on any further amendments.

The omnibus bill will provide increases next year for several programs important to school counselors.  Most notably, the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP) will receive $52 million in 2009-10--a $3.4 million increase over last year, and the highest level yet for the program!   

The Grants for the Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems program will receive $5.9 million in 2009-10, which is nearly a $1 million increase over last year.

The bill also provides small increases for college preparation programs like GEAR UP and TRIO.  The TRIO program will receive a $19.9 million increase to $848.1, and the GEAR UP program is slated to receive a $9.8 million increase to $313.2 million for FY 2009.

A chart listing the funding levels for these and other education programs are available at: http://www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget09/09action.pdf)

Christopher C. Campbell, MA.Ed.
Associate Director of Public Policy and Legislation
American Counseling Association
ph  703-823-9800 x241 | 800-347-6647 x241
www.counseling.org