Now what?

OK, the senate has passed their version of the stimulus package (see below). In essence it's the Collins/Nelson amendment. The senate has named their conference committee members--Inouye, Reed, Bacus, Grassley, Cochran and Reid.

Usually higher education issues are not high profile, under the radar. However, the education infrastructure provisions that were struck in the Collins/Nelson amendment will be a MAJOR issue during conference committee negotiations.

And it's public...from today's National Journal CongressDaily:

"The Senate bill creates about 400,000 jobs less than our bill; over 300,000 of those jobs are in school construction, higher education and K-12," said House Education and Labor Chairman George Miller. "If this was a jobs bill, this was a huge mistake to take this out." Miller added that several senators have called him to ask that the House restore the funding.

The House will name their conferees soon, like today, and get after it.The goal is to have a final package by the Feb. 16 President's Day recess.

Developing...