November 29

This week in MORE POWER:

FAFSA Deadline
Taking CARE of Autism
Tracking Ballots
Clean Energy

Congress is not in session this week, so here’s a recap of the additional bills they passed last week that could continue moving forward when they return on Monday.

FAFSA Deadline

The Senate passed the FAFSA Deadline Act last week. If made law, this bill would require the Department of Education (DoE) to release the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by Oct. 1 every year, eliminating the option for a later release. It also requires the DoE to notify Congress by Sept. 1 if the FAFSA will be ready on time. If the deadline isn’t met, the Secretary of Education will have to testify before Congress to explain the delay and its financial impact on students and families. This bill is now heading to President Biden’s desk.

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Taking CARE of Autism

The Senate passed the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act, which would increase funding and expand federal programs for autism research, services, and support. The bill would extend key programs through 2029, strengthen coordination across agencies, and ensure public input in research priorities. Funding will rise to $306 million annually to improve early detection, intervention, and caregiver support. This bill is now heading to President Biden’s desk.

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Tracking Ballots

This House passed the Vote by Mail Tracking Act, which aims to improve ballot tracking during national elections. It would do so by requiring all mail-in ballot envelopes used in federal elections to include a Postal Service barcode for individual tracking, meet specific design and machinability requirements set by the Postal Service, and display the "Official Election Mail" logo. Altogether, these news requirements would make every ballot follow the same standard and much easier to track. The requirements would take effect in 2026.

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Clean Energy

The House passed the Committing Leases for Energy Access Now (CLEAN) Act, which would mandate the Department of the Interior (DOI) to hold geothermal lease sales annually, rather than every two years. Additionally, the bill shortens the timeline for processing geothermal drilling permits. Geothermal energy is heat from the Earth's core that can be harnessed for electricity. Geothermal lease sales allow companies to purchase the rights to explore and develop geothermal resources on public or private lands for energy production. Critics of geothermal drilling argue that it pollutes the air and water which leads to poor environmental outcomes including public health risks. This bill is now going to the Senate.

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