The Perkins Act provides federal funds for state vocational programs. President Bush's FY2006 budget had proposed elimination of the program. States count on the $1.3 billion program to update their career and technical education courses. Lawmakers believe that the Perkins Act has played a crucial role for those who attend non-traditional colleges.

The House of Representatives is expected to also approve Perkins funding early this month. It is being reviewed by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

U.S. Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY), chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee introduced S. 250 and U.S. Representative Michael Castle (R-DE), chairman of the House Education and Workforce Education Reform Subcommittee introduced H.R. 322.

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is supporting these bills and there is still time for repairers to contact their U.S. Representatives and ask that they support the Perkins Act.