Saturday 9:00 AM Update

This is an update to the earlier report:

An agreement has been reached in the House and Senate to support a program to provide public and private schools funds to repay the costs of accommodating displaced students. It will be offered by Senators Enzi (R-WY) and Kennedy (D-MA). Private schools would have to apply to local schools for funds. Attached to the budget reconciliation bill, the amendment was passed in the Senate by voice vote. BUT, and this is important, it hasn't been agreed to by the House of Representatives AND it will need to be added to the Defense Appropriations Bill – which may be voted on as early as Sunday night (12/18), or as late as Tuesday (12/20). The funding for the U.S. Education Department is expected to be put on the Defense bill as well.