The budget negotiations continue to move slowly. This week, President Clinton signed a fourth continuing resolution to allow the federal government to operate until Wednesday while lawmakers try to finalize fiscal year 2001 appropriations bills. Among measures still awaiting final action is the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill, H.R. 4577. As of late last week, the White House and congressional Republicans continued to be at odds over spending levels contained in the bill. The White House and Democratic lawmakers are seeking additional funding for education and other domestic programs, while GOP members argue that enough money has been provided to fund Clinton's education priorities and other domestic program in the spending proposals.
Prospects continue to look good for student aid and scientific research.
We filed an amicus brief last week in a federal court case involving the use of a race-conscious admissions policy at the University of Georgia. The ACE brief was filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia v. Johnson case. The case stems from a lawsuit brought against the university by three white women who were not admitted as undergraduates. The trial court invalidated the use of affirmative action in admissions at the University of Georgia in a decision issued in July. Although the case involves only the University of Georgia, a ruling by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals would be binding on the use of race in admissions for higher education institutions throughout the circuit, including Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.