Letters

On September 3, AAU joined nine other higher-education associations in sending a letter to House and Senate appropriators to urge them to repeal the taxability of Pell grants by incorporating the “Tax-Free Pell Grant Act” as part of their final FY2022 reconciliation agreement.

AAU joined with APLU in sending a letter to Secretary Blinken and Secretary Mayorkas offering assistance as efforts to evacuate and support at-risk Afghan students and scholars continue.

AAU joined ACE and six other higher education associations in sending a comment letter asking the Department of Education to withdraw its proposed information collection on reporting requirements for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund program.

AAU President Barbara R. Snyder sent a letter to House and Senate leaders outlining priorities for several key provisions that Congress is discussing as part of the conference process for S. 1260, H.R. 2225, H.R. 3593, and other related measures.

The Coalition for National Security Research, of which AAU is a member, sent a letter congratulating Heidi Shyu on her confirmation as the next under secretary of defense for research and engineering.

AAU joined CUPA-HR and 11 other higher education organizations in sending a letter to USCIS Director Ur Jaddou requesting an extension of previously announced flexibilities on Form I-9 compliance requirements. The initial guidance, issued at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, permits remote inspection of employee identity and employment authorization documents; it expires on August 31, 2021.

AAU, ACE, and 59 other higher education associations sent a letter to leaders of the House and the Senate underscoring the pressing need for Congress to provide permanent legal protections for DACA recipients and all Dreamers.

The Task Force on American Innovation, of which AAU is a member, sent a letter urging Senate and House Budget Committee leaders to prioritize investments in fundamental research and research-related infrastructure in the FY22 budget and in any potential reconciliation instructions.

AAU joined the Coalition for the American Dream, a coalition of more than 100 top businesses and trade associations, in sending a letter to President Biden and congressional leaders urging swift passage of legislation that would create a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers.