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AAU Weekly Wrap-up, July 16, 2021


FY22 Appropriations Update

Today, the House Appropriations Committee wrapped up its markups of all FY22 appropriations bills. The committee voted 33-24 to advance both the Energy-Water and the Transportation-HUD bills. Yesterday, the committee approved the Labor-HHS-Education bill by a 33-25 vote as well as the Commerce-Justice-Science bill by a 33-26 vote. Earlier this week, the committee approved the Homeland Security bill by a 33-24 vote as well as the Defense spending bill by a 33-23 vote. AAU has updated its funding priorities table to reflect the current status of FY22 appropriations.

The Energy-Water bill provides $53.23 billion, an increase of $1.47 billion above FY21. The bill provides $7.32 billion for the Office of Science and $600 million for ARPA-E. A summary of the bill is available here; the text of the bill before the adoption of amendments in full committee is here; the bill report before the adoption of amendments is here; a press release including links to amendments is here.

The Transportation-HUD bill provides $84.1 billion, an increase of 11% from FY21. A summary of the bill is available here; the text of the bill before the adoption of amendments in full committee is here; the bill report before the adoption of amendments is here; a press release including links to amendments is here.

The Labor-HHS-Education bill provides $253.8 billion, a 28% increase from FY21. The bill provides $27.2 billion for federal student aid programs and $49 billion for the NIH. The bill also includes a $400 increase for the maximum Pell Grant and allows Dreamers to access federal financial aid. Earlier this week, AAU, ACE, and 30 other higher education associations and organizations sent a letter to House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Ranking Member Kay Granger (R-TX) supporting the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill. A summary of the bill is available here; the text of the bill before the adoption of amendments in full committee is here; the bill report before the adoption of amendments is here; a press release including links to amendments is here.

The Commerce-Justice-Science bill provides $81.3 billion, a 14% increase from FY21. The bill includes $9.63 billion for the NSF and $25.04 billion for NASA. A summary of the bill is available here; the text of the bill before the adoption of amendments in full committee is here; the bill report before the adoption of amendments is here; a press release including links to amendments is here.

The Homeland Security bill provides $52.81 billion in funding, an increase of $934 million above FY21. A summary of the bill can be found here; the text of the bill before the adoption of amendments in full committee is here; the bill report before the adoption of amendments is here; a press release including links to amendments is here.

The Defense spending bill provides $706 billion in funding, a 1.4% increase from FY21. Republicans opposed the bill, arguing that it does not allocate enough money for the Pentagon. The bill provides $2.44 billion for 6.1 basic research, which is more than the administration’s request but still an 8.6% cut below the FY21 funding level. AAU’s defense research appropriations table has been updated with the House bill figures. A summary of the Defense spending bill is here; the text of the bill before the adoption of amendments in full committee is here; the bill report before the adoption of amendments is here; a press release including links to amendments is here.

Roll Call reports that House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) has written in a “Dear Colleague” letter that the full House will take up a $617 billion package combining seven FY22 spending bills, including Agriculture, Energy-Water, and Labor-HHS-Education, the week of July 26. Hoyer also indicated that the House could take up some of the remaining bills that same week.

Meanwhile, Senate Budget Committee Democrats announced plans for a $3.5 trillion reconciliation package. The topline number is less than Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) initial $6 trillion spending plan and includes a number of health, education, and social programs.


Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research Releases Statement on FY22 NIH Funding

The Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research, of which AAU is a member, released a statement on NIH funding in the House FY22 Labor-HHS appropriations bill. The group commended the $49 billion provided in the bill for NIH overall, including over $46 billion for the agency’s core funding. “We applaud the draft bill’s recognition of this critical investment with a funding level for the NIH’s base that exceeds the Ad Hoc Group’s recommendation for FY 2022,” the statement noted. The group also urged the Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee “to continue the strong tradition of rejecting problematic restrictions on medical research.”


TFAI to Hold Briefing on Frontiers in AI and ML Research and Innovation

The Task Force on American Innovation, of which AAU is a member, is hosting a webinar briefing on July 22, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. ET examining the current state and future of artificial intelligence and machine learning research in the United States. The briefing will provide an overview of research breakthroughs, innovative real-world applications of AI and ML research, advances to look ahead to, and the investments needed to maintain U.S. leadership in AI and ML. AAU is cosponsoring the briefing; registration is available here.


NIH and OSTP to Host Listening Sessions on ARPA-H

The NIH and OSTP are hosting listening sessions to get feedback from stakeholders on the creation of ARPA-H. The sessions are organized by topical areas of research. Access the schedule and registration links here.


AAU, Associations Express Support for the Tax-Free Pell Grant Act

AAU, AACC, and 21 other higher education associations and organizations sent a letter to Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) expressing enthusiastic support for the Tax-Free Pell Grant Act. The legislation would eliminate the taxation of Pell Grants, eliminate the Pell Grant offset included in the American Opportunity Tax Credit formula, and expand the AOTC and the Lifetime Learning Credit to include essential student expenses such as dependent care and computers. The legislation, the letter noted, would help low- and moderate-income college students receive the full benefits of the Pell Grant program and the AOTC. “We urge all members of Congress concerned about helping less affluent and working students, as well as a substantial number of undergraduate students generally, to support this essential legislation,” the letter stated.


AAU, Associations Urge Swift Confirmation of Lisa Brown as ED General Counsel and James Kvaal as ED Under Secretary

AAU joined ACE and six other higher education associations in sending a letter to Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Ranking Member Richard Burr (R-NC) expressing enthusiastic support for Lisa Brown’s nomination for the role of general counsel in the Department of Education. Brown has served as Georgetown University’s vice president and general counsel for the last eight years. The letter urged swift confirmation, noting: “As someone of impeccable judgment and vast experience, who understands the collaborative nature of engagement and decision-making in government and on campuses, Ms. Brown is ideally suited to advise the Department.”

AAU also joined ACE and four other higher education associations in sending a letter urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to bring the nomination of James Kvaal as under secretary of education to the Senate floor for a vote. In April, the Senate HELP Committee advanced Kvaal’s nomination with strong bipartisan support, but the nomination has stalled since then; no floor vote is currently scheduled. The under secretary of education oversees postsecondary education policy and manages issues such as student loan repayment and the administration of emergency relief programs. “Continuing to leave this role empty will necessarily have a detrimental, and long-lasting, effect on the ability of the Biden Administration to achieve their policy goals,” the letter stated.


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