CONTENTS:
- Associations Submit Amicus Brief to SCOTUS in Travel Ban Challenge
- White House Confirms Rescission Rumors
- Student Aid Group Submits Final FY19 Funding Requests
- NSF Announces 2018 Graduate Research Fellowships
ASSOCIATIONS SUBMIT AMICUS BRIEF TO SCOTUS IN TRAVEL BAN CHALLENGE
AAU joined 32 other organizations in submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in Trump v. Hawaii, a case to examine the administration’s third travel ban. Enacted by proclamation, the policy restricts travel to the U.S. by citizens from eight countries: Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
The Supreme Court will hear the case on April 25, the last oral argument day of the term.
WHITE HOUSE CONFIRMS RESCISSION RUMORS
Multiple media reports indicate the administration is considering how to cut some of the funding recently passed in the $1.3 trillion Consolidated Appropriations Act, which boosts defense and nondefense spending by $80 billion and $63 billion, respectively (summary linked here). White House legislative director Marc Short said in a statement, “The administration is certainly looking at a rescission package, and the president takes seriously his promise to be fiscally responsible.”
The Budget Act of 1974 allows the president to submit a rescission resolution to Congress identifying appropriations the White House does not want to spend. Multiple appropriations rescissions can be provided to Congress via a single request and Congress has 45 legislative days to approve all, some, or none of the president’s request.
It is unclear which appropriations would be proposed for rescission. Prospects for congressional approval are also unclear.
STUDENT AID GROUP SUBMITS FINAL FY19 FUNDING REQUESTS
The Student Aid Alliance, a coalition of 85 higher education organizations, including AAU, yesterday wrote congressional appropriators to commend their efforts on behalf of federal student aid programs in the FY18 Consolidated Appropriations Act and to ask for their continued commitment in FY19. The coalition letter outlines amended FY19 funding requests for federal student aid programs including Pell Grants, campus-based aid programs, TRIO, GEAR UP, GAANN, and LEAP Grants. The letter says these programs enable many low- and middle- income students to succeed and without federal support, many of these students would otherwise be unable to pursue higher education.
NSF ANNOUNCES 2018 GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS
The NSF on Tuesday announced the offer of 2,000 graduate research fellowship awards to high-potential, early-career scientists and engineers to support their graduate research training in STEM fields. The group of awardees includes 1,156 women, 461 individuals from underrepresented minority groups, 75 persons with disabilities, 27 veterans, and 780 individuals not yet enrolled in graduate school.
The administration’s proposed budget for FY18 and FY19 funded 1,000 and 1,500 fellowships, respectively.
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