- U.S. Innovation and Competition Act Passes Senate; Biden Issues Statement of Support
- AAU Submits Title IX Comments, Joins ACE Comment Letter
- AAU, ACE, Other Associations Request Briefing from State on Presidential Proclamation 10043
- AAU, Associations Send Letter to House and Senate Appropriations Committees on FY22 Appropriations
- AAU Letter to House Science Committee Expressing Support for NSF for the Future Act
- VIDEO AVAILABLE: Barbara Snyder, Other Leaders on Bayh-Dole at CSIS Event
- AAU Staffing Announcement
- Democrats Reportedly Moving Forward with Two-Track Approach on Biden Economic Agenda, Infrastructure
- Upcoming Events
U.S. INNOVATION AND COMPETITION ACT PASSES SENATE; BIDEN ISSUES STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
On Tuesday, the Senate approved the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (S. 1260, formerly known as the Endless Frontier Act) on a bipartisan vote of 68-32. AAU President Barbara Snyder issued a statement thanking senators. “While the legislation was expanded on the Senate floor to include many other provisions, we appreciate that the final bill incorporates the core provisions of the original Endless Frontier Act to spur federal investments in the research supported by the National Science Foundation,” the statement said. “Today’s vote is another important step in renewing our country’s commitment to federally sponsored scientific research to better position the United States for a healthier, more secure, more prosperous future.”
President Biden released a statement supporting the legislation which read, in part: “I look forward to working with the House of Representatives on this important bipartisan legislation, and I look forward to signing it into law as soon as possible.”
AAU SUBMITS TITLE IX COMMENTS, JOINS ACE COMMENT LETTER
AAU submitted comments to the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights regarding the agency’s review of regulations and actions related to Title IX provisions on campus sexual misconduct. Throughout this week, OCR has held virtual public hearings on the issue.
In our comment letter, AAU expressed deep commitment to complying with federal civil rights law and to providing a safe learning environment for all students. “Any changes to the current regulations,” the letter noted, “should respect the autonomy and educational missions of America’s institutions of higher education, while allowing them to tailor their sexual harassment proceedings to effectively protect the rights of all students, faculty, and staff members.” AAU also urged the department “to include campus advocates for survivors of sexual misconduct as part of the conversation as it moves forward” in the regulatory process.
AAU also joined ACE and 41 other higher education organizations in submitting an additional written comment to OCR encouraging the department to adopt a less-prescriptive framework that “provides flexibility for campuses to ensure that survivors are not denied their ability to participate in their education programs, while ensuring fair processes for all.”
AAU, ACE, OTHER ASSOCIATIONS REQUEST BRIEFING FROM STATE ON PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION 10043
AAU, ACE, and 39 other associations sent a letter yesterday requesting a briefing from State Department officials on the implications of Presidential Proclamation 10043, “Suspension of Entry as Nonimmigrants of Certain Students and Researchers from the People’s Republic of China,” for international students and scholars. The letter raises concerns about troubling reports that the proclamation is being applied very broadly and “is causing delays in students’ academic careers and critical projects.”
AAU, ASSOCIATIONS SEND LETTER TO HOUSE AND SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEES ON FY22 APPROPRIATIONS
Today, AAU, ACE, and 46 other organizations sent a letter to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees reiterating the higher education community’s funding requests for the FY22 appropriations process. The letter requests support for critical programs serving students, institutions, and researchers -- including Pell Grants and other financial aid programs, institutions serving historically underserved populations, scientific research and development programs across multiple agencies, and more.
“It is critical,” the letter states, “that existing federal investments to strengthen our workforce, advance scientific research and develop new technologies, enhance the capacities of postsecondary institutions, and promote the greatest possible opportunity for students and their families are expanded in the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations process.”
The House Appropriations Committee begins its work on the 12 separate appropriations bills the week of June 24.
AAU SENDS LETTER TO HOUSE SCIENCE COMMITTEE EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR NSF FOR THE FUTURE ACT
AAU President Barbara R. Snyder sent a letter to House Science Committee Chair Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) expressing support for H.R. 2225, the National Science Foundation for the Future Act, in advance of the bill’s markup on Tuesday, June 15. The letter commended specific provisions in the current legislation, including the strong five-year funding authorization levels and the bill’s attention to graduate education.
In our letter, AAU also expressed appreciation for the committee’s work on the research integrity and security provisions of H.R. 2225 and support for the creation of and NSF Directorate for Science and Engineering Solutions. “AAU has consistently supported the idea that NSF should be open to big and bold ideas and to experimenting with its own structure and funding mechanisms,” the letter noted.
RESOURCE AVAILABLE: RECORDING OF CSIS PANEL ON THE BAYH-DOLE ACT AND MARCH-IN RIGHTS
A video recording of a recent CSIS Panel with Barbara Snyder on Innovation, the Bayh-Dole Act, and March-in Rights is now available online. The virtual panel featured remarks by AAU President Barbara R. Snyder and focused on issues around tech transfer, innovation, and the impact of COVID-19 on the way universities and the public view basic research.
AAU STAFFING ANNOUNCEMENT
Federal Relations Officer Taylor Henry will leave AAU on July 9 to join the higher education team at Whiteboard Advisors; she has served on AAU’s staff since 2017. While serving at AAU, Taylor has helped advance the association’s federal advocacy and has made important contributions to many issues, projects, and initiatives. She has led on humanities issues and focused on budget and appropriations and other Department of Education issues. We wish her well and thank her for her service in support of America’s leading research universities.
AAU is seeking applications for the Federal Relations Officer (FRO). The FRO leads AAU’s efforts on the humanities and ED’s Title VI International Education programs and supports the overall budget and appropriations process. A job description and application requirements are available here. To be considered, please send a cover letter, salary requirements, writing sample, and resume to [email protected] by June 25.
DEMOCRATS REPORTEDLY MOVING FORWARD WITH TWO-TRACK APPROACH ON BIDEN ECONOMIC AGENDA, INFRASTRUCTURE
According to multiple news outlets, congressional Democrats are ready to move forward with proposals to enact President Biden’s broad economic agenda even without Republican support while still leaving room for ongoing talks between the White House and Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), who are attempting to create sufficient bipartisan consensus in the Senate to pass an infrastructure package.
Politico reports that House Budget Committee Chair John Yarmuth (D-KY) plans to introduce a so-called “deeming” measure in the coming days that lays out approximately $1.5 trillion FY22 funding so appropriators can complete work on bills that will raise budgets for several federal agencies. At the same time, Yarmuth is preparing a separate budget proposal that will allow Democrats to pass much of the president’s infrastructure proposal through reconciliation to avoid the Senate’s 60-vote hurdle.
Bloomberg Government reports that in the Senate, Budget Committee Chair Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is setting up a resolution that will enable the infrastructure package to pass. “I do not see any indication that Republicans are prepared to support the kind of serious legislation this country needs,” he reportedly said.
UPCOMING EVENTS
JUNE 23-24 COLERIDGE INITIATIVE “VALUE OF SCIENCE: DATA, PRODUCTS & USE” CONFERENCE; More information available here; registration available here.