Query Concerning FY 1985 Authorization Levels for Department of Education Programs

GAO responded to a congressional query as to whether the fiscal year (FY) 1985 authorization level for Department of Education programs should be the level originally contained in the General Education Provision Act or the level specified for FY 1984 in the Omnibus Education Reconciliation Act of 1981. The General Education Provisions Act provides for the automatic extension of education programs for 1 FY when Congress fails to enact legislation to extend the programs before they expire. The Reconciliation Act amended the various statutes authorizing appropriations for education programs. Therefore, the authorization levels for these programs are contained in the Reconciliation Act rather than in the enacting legislation. Unless otherwise extended by some other legislation, the automatic extension provision authorizes the continuation of the programs at the level prescribed for FY 1984 in the Reconciliation Act.