Although final numbers have not yet been released, sources say that the compromise bill includes several overdue funding boosts for programs that especially help unemployed and underemployed women including $25 million more for career and technical education and $32.5 million more for child care.

Unfortunately, despite these many increases, we've also heard that the final measure includes a large cut to job training-a $245 million rescission of previous year's unspent Workforce Investment Act funds. While this cut is $90 million less than the House initially proposed, it is still likely to have a significant negative impact on the Workforce Investment system.

Women Work! will release a full analysis of the funding levels once the conference report becomes public.

Presidential Veto Threat

As early as today, the House and Senate are expected to vote to approve the final conference report and send the bill to the White House where it faces certain veto by President Bush.  President Bush has said for months now that he plans to reject any spending bill that exceeds the funding totals he proposed in February; the final Labor-HHS-Education package is $9.8 billion over Bush's proposal which would actually lower funding of health, education and labor services from last year's levels.

While the Labor-HHS-Education bill will almost definitely be approved in both chambers this week, to negate the President's veto threat, the Committee Report needs to pass in both the House and Senate by a two-thirds majority - that is, by 289 votes in the House and 67 votes in the Senate if all members are present.

If a few Members of Congress change their votes from "Nay" to "Yea," H.R. 3043 will pass with a veto-proof majority, meaning a certain increase in funding for programs like career and technical education and child care. If Congress can't get a veto-proof majority, they will have to compromise with President Bush on the budget, almost certainly leading to additional cuts.