- Budget and Appropriations Update
- House Appropriators to Continue FY20 Funding Work
- House Republicans Repeatedly Block Disaster Aid Relief
- House Lawmakers Introduce “Securing American Science and Technology Act”
- AAU Urges House Leaders to Pass Protections for Dreamers
- National Science Board Extends New Member Nomination Deadline
- Upcoming Events
BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE
The House Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee will Monday mark up its FY20 Financial Services & General Government spending measure. The full Committee is expected to mark up the FY20 Transportation-Housing and Urban Development and FY20 Agriculture-Rural Development-Food and Drug Administration spending bills on Tuesday.
A House Republican yesterday, for the third time, blocked passage of H.R. 2157, the “Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019,” a $19.1 billion package of disaster-relief aid. The measure includes $165 million in Education Department funding to support colleges and universities and K-12 schools affected by natural disasters. House leaders had planned to pass the measure by unanimous consent last week, Tuesday, and yesterday, but objections from House Republicans blocked the proceeding. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-NY) has said the House could hold a recorded vote as early as Monday, June 3.
HOUSE LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE “SECURING AMERICAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ACT”
Representatives Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) yesterday introduced H.R. 3038, “Securing American Science and Technology Act of 2019,” bipartisan legislation that would direct the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish an interagency working group of federal science, intelligence, and security agencies. The working group would: identify, assess, and define current controls for federally funded research, take inventory of current control definitions, and develop and update framework to help federal agencies and grantees defend against threats. Several associations and universities sent a letter to the bill’s original cosponsors thanking them and expressing support for the legislation.
RESOURCES AVAILABLE: Bill Text | Community Letter of Support
AAU URGES HOUSE LEADERS TO PASS PROTECTIONS FOR DREAMERS
AAU today sent a letter to House leaders urging the swift passage of H.R. 6, “the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019,” legislation that would allow some undocumented young people to earn lawful permanent residence in the United States and a path to citizenship. The legislation was introduced by Representatives Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), and Yvette Clarke (D-NY). This legislation is critical to the long-term viability of our unique government-university research partnership and its future contributions to our nation’s prosperity and security.
Please use ACE’s “Contact Congress” form to send your Representatives a note in support of H.R. 6.
RESOURCES AVAILABLE: AAU Asks Lawmakers to Support the American Dream Act of 2019 (May 20, 2019) | AAU, Associations support the “Dream Act” and the “American Promise Act”
NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD EXTENDS NEW MEMBER NOMINATION DEADLINE
The National Science Board this week announced it will accept new member nominations until June 7, 2019. The NSB consists of 24 members who serve 6-year terms. The board oversees the activities of and establish policies for the NSF and advises the President and Congress on science and engineering policy matters. More information and nomination instructions can be found here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
JUNE 13 BAYH DOLE BRIEFING; 9:30 – 11:40 a.m. ET at AAAS, 1200 New York Ave. Event flier available here. RSVP to attend in person or via livestream.