- Budget and Appropriations Update
- AAU, Associations Oppose Proposed EPA Rule Restricting the Use of Science
- AAU, Associations Send Letter to Administration About the Importance of Optional Practical Training
- CNSR Recommends Emergency Support for Short- and Long-Term COVID-19 Effects
- CNSR Outlines Priorities for Infrastructure and Economic Stimulus
- Upcoming Events
BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE
Senate Appropriations Chair Richard Shelby (R-AL) is expected to meet with the president to discuss the FY21 appropriations process today, according to Politico Pro. The discussion is expected to center on the rising cost of health care for veterans.
Shelby reportedly expects to send official FY21 302(b) allocations to subcommittee chairs by the time the Senate returns from its Memorial Day recess. Markups on subcommittee spending bills are expected to start as early as the third week of June.
Meanwhile, House appropriators are working to move FY21 appropriations forward and have set preliminary subcommittee spending figures to begin drafting legislation, Bloomberg Government reports. The 302(b) allocations for each of the 13 spending bills have been shared with subcommittee leaders but have not been publicly released. Last month, House Appropriations Committee Chair Nita Lowey (D-NY) announced that the committee will hold markups “when Congress returns to Washington.”
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019 set limits of $671.5 billion for defense and $626.5 billion for nondefense spending, representing only a 0.5 percent increase in discretionary spending levels from FY20 to FY21.
AAU, ASSOCIATIONS OPPOSE PROPOSED EPA RULE RESTRICTING USE OF SCIENCE
On Tuesday, AAU joined APLU, AAMC, and COGR to submit comments to the Environmental Protection Agency urging the agency to withdraw its proposed rule, Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science , and the related supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking. The associations outline their concerns that the rule would restrict the science the EPA considers in rulemaking to studies in which the underlying data is made publicly available for independent re-analysis. The letter reiterates concerns from comments AAU provided the agency in 2018; those comments highlighted how the proposed rule would limit the agency’s use of the best available science in its decision making.
RESOURCE AVAILABLE: AAU Joins AAAS Letter Opposing EPA Proposed Rule, “Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science”
AAU, ASSOCIATIONS SEND LETTER TO ADMINISTRATION ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF OPTIONAL PRACTICE TRAINING
Yesterday, AAU joined ACE and eight other associations on a letter to the White House requesting they convene a meeting to discuss “the contributions of international students attending U.S. colleges and universities to our economy and domestic businesses.” The letter acknowledges the administration’s review of the Optional Practical Training program as it examines further action following the April 22 executive order on immigration. The program allows talented international students who hold a degree from an American college or university the opportunity to remain in the United States after they graduate in order to enhance their educational work-based experience, a vital component of their degree programs.
CNSR RECOMMENDS EMERGENCY SUPPORT FOR SHORT- AND LONG-TERM COVID-19 EFFECTS
The Coalition for National Security Research, of which AAU is a member, recently developed recommendations for Congress and the administration urging them to provide short- and long-term emergency supplemental appropriations to support the United States’ national security as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. The organizations recommend funding to mitigate the impact of the virus and to prevent future global health pandemics, including support for: sustaining vital defense scientific research and development; the Newton Award for Transformative Ideas during the COVID-19 Pandemic; the Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship; the Minerva Research Initiative; and more.
CNSR OUTLINES PRIORITIES FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMIC STIMULUS
The Coalition for National Security Research, which includes AAU, created a document to outline priorities for Congress to consider as they work on infrastructure or economic stimulus legislation. The organization recommends Congress prioritize funding for several Defense Department programs, including: the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program; the Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative; Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research; and the Defense Enterprise Science Initiative. The letter also recommends increased funding for programs that support more than 100,000 scientists and engineers who work to support the United States’ national defense.
UPCOMING EVENTS
MAY 22 DEADLINE FOR GOLDEN GOOSE COVID-19 RECOGNITION NOMINATIONS; Eligibility requirements and nomination submission form available here.
MAY 30 – 31 NASA SPACE APPS COVID-19 CHALLENGE; For more information and to register, click here.