On Tuesday (6/26/2018) the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee approved re-authorizations of the PREEMIE Act, aimed at preventing premature births, and the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.

"In Tennessee, about 11 percent of babies are born preterm," Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said. "I first introduced the PREEMIE Act in 2003, with the encouragement of the March of Dimes, to support health care professionals caring for babies born premature. Since it was first signed into law in 2006 and reauthorized in 2013, this law has helped give more babies the chance at long and healthy lives, so it is important the Committee passed this bill, so the full Senate can consider it before many of the programs expire on September 30."

On the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, Alexander said: "What I hear most often from Tennessee employers is that they need more skilled workers. The Perkins CTE Act funds the programs that help train the skilled workers we need--for example, a high school student looking to become a computer coder, or an adult going back to school to learn about commercial construction. This reauthorization makes important updates to the law, including limiting the role of the Secretary of Education, so states don't have to ask, "Mother May I," when they want to make changes to do what is best for their students and increases expectations that states will hold themselves accountable for student achievement."

The committee also approved the nominations of Scott Stump to serve as Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Department of Education and John Lowry III to serve as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training, Department of Labor.

On Mr. Stump, Alexander said: "If confirmed, Mr. Stump will be in charge of matters related to career, technical and adult education at the high school and post secondary levels. Mr. Stump is well qualified for this role having spent nearly 14 years at the Colorado Community College System as Assistant Provost for Career & Technical Education."

On Mr. Lowry, Alexander said: "If confirmed, Mr. Lowry will be in charge of helping America's veterans and service members enter the workforce, providing them with employment resources and protecting their employment rights. Mr. Lowry is uniquely suited to this role having served for 15 years of active duty in the Marine Corps and as a senior employee at Harley-Davidson where he had the opportunity to hire many veterans."

Below are the bills and nominees approved by the committee:

• Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) -- Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Reauthorization Act of 2018 (S. 3029): This bill continues research and education programs aimed at preventing preterm births to reduce infant deaths and improve infant health.

• Sens. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) -- Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2017 (S. 1112): This bill aims to support states in reviewing pregnancy-related deaths of women in order to identify ways to improve maternal care and reduce maternal mortality in the United States.

• Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) -- Sports Licensure Medical Clarity Act of 2017 (S. 808): If a sports medicine professional, such as an athletic trainer working for an amateur or professional team, traveled outside the state in which they are licensed, this bill would clarify that the provider is still covered by their medical liability insurance provider.

• A bill to reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act: If you're a high school student looking to begin training as an electrician, or an adult going back to school to learn about commercial construction, this legislation helps states fund career and technical programs at high schools and post-secondary education institutions.

• Scott Stump to serve as Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Department of Education

• John Lowry III to serve as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training, Department of Labor