The U.S. House Appropriations Commitee’s Labor, Health, and Human Services and Education Subcommittee is expected to begin work on the FY11 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill on Thursday.

This appropriations bill will set FY11 spending levels for the U.S. Department of Education programs, including the federal student aid programs.

In addition, the bills will provide a first glance at the difference between Congress and the Administration with regard to education, health, and human service spending. In February the Obama Administration released its FY11 request which asked to increase discretionary education spending by $4.5 billion to $50.7 billion. In addition, the Administratin proposed making the Pell Grants an entitlement program by funding it entirely with mandatory funds and increasing the maximum Pell Grant award by $160 to $5,710.

Though it is positive that action on the education appropriations bill will likely take place this week it is a first step among many. Only six of the twelve subcommittees have reported their FY11 spending bills to the full House Appropriations Committee. The Appropriations Committee has not yet scheduled time to work on the bills.

Furthermore, the Senate’s Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee has not begun work on its version of the bill.

If the House and Senate are unable to pass FY11 appropraitons bill, a Continuing Resolution will need to be passed to continue funding for federal programs.