ALAWON: American Library Association Washington Office Newsline
Volume 9, Number 30
April 11, 2000

In this issue:
[1] ESEA MARKUP IN HOUSE CONTINUES

ESEA MARKUP IN HOUSE CONTINUES

On April 5 and 6, the House Education and the Workforce Committee 
began the markup of H.R. 4141, which includes the remaining titles 
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act still to be voted on 
by the Committee.  Title III, `Tech for Success'; Title IV, Safe 
and Drug-Free Schools and Communities; and Title VI, Innovative 
Education Program Strategies are included in the bill.

The sessions were conducted with much partisan dialogue and no bi-
partisan votes. Members of the minority are allowed to offer 
amendments, but so far all have been voted down by the majority.   
It appears that the Committee will report out a bill which will 
endorse an increased flexibility in spending among Titles and will 
increase the number of possibilities for spending of Title VI, the 
current block grant, from nine to fifteen.  

Discussion ranged during the two days of the markup from school 
construction to gun control. Rep. William Goodling (R-PA), Chair 
of the Committee, in opening remarks, said he could not understand 
why it took twelve years to consider the quality of the programs 
under review.  He lauded the flexibility of H.R. 4141 which allows 
for transferability of funds from one category to another.  Rep. 
William Clay (D-MO) speaking as the ranking minority member said 
the bill was a highly partisan measure which could not be repaired 
and was opposed by the Administration.  He said the process was 
"in shambles."

Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), attempted to include two 
gun safety measures which sparked lengthy debate and parliamentary 
maneuvering by both sides.
Only Rep. David Wu (D-OR) has spoken out thus far against the 
filtering mandate in H.R. 4141 (Title III of the bill).

Discussion will begin again today, April 11, and may continue on 
Wednesday.  Rep. Major Owens still intends to offer H.R. 3008, the 
school library resources legislation, as an amendment to H.R. 
4141.  

ACTION STILL NEEDED: The ALAWON of April 4, 2000, v. 9, n. 28, 
gives the list of members of the House Education and the Workforce 
Committee with telephone numbers.  There is still time to call 
members to ask them to vote for Rep. Owens' amendment when it 
comes up during debate in Committee.  There are now 21 sponsors of 
the bill from both sides of the aisle, and one additional Member 
of Congress who may sign on today.

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