- Lame-Duck Session to include FY21 Appropriations, Leadership Elections, Possible COVID-19 Relief
- AAU, Associations, and Members File Amicus Briefs to Support Lawsuits Against Administration’s H-1B Visa Restrictions
- AAU, Associations Submit Comments on Review of Foundational Technology Controls
- Upcoming Events
LAME-DUCK SESSION TO INCLUDE FY21 APPROPRIATIONS, LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS, POSSIBLE COVID-19 RELIEF
As Congress returns to Washington for its lame-duck session, lawmakers must still consider completion of FY21 appropriations, party leadership for the 117th Congress, and possible COVID-19 relief.
On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said that the Senate would begin work on a pandemic relief measure before the new calendar year and all FY21 appropriations bills before the current stopgap funding measure expires on Dec. 11. The Washington Post reports that McConnell said, “we need another rescue package,” adding that “it’s a possibility we will do more for state and local governments.” The Senate returns to Washington on Monday. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has announced a similar timeline for the House, which returns to Washington on Nov. 16.
Timing remains unclear on consideration of a pandemic aid package – as does the final legislative vehicle. Previously, Roll Call reported that Pelosi has indicated a COVID-19 aid measure could be rolled into FY21 appropriations measures. Little progress on efforts to reach an agreement has been reported since last week, when Pelosi sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin listing sticking points in COVID-19 relief negotiations. In the letter, Pelosi cited areas for continued negotiations, including funding for: testing, tracing, and treatment; state and local governments; K-12 and higher education; tax credits for working families; unemployment insurance; and other forms of relief.
House and Senate Armed Services Committee leaders continue to work on a FY21 National Defense Authorization Act with the goal of reaching a conference agreement to consider before the end of the year.
According to Politico, Pelosi has announced she will seek another two-year term as speaker – although Democratic losses in the House may lead to calls for leadership changes, according to a Roll Call report. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) also intend to remain in their positions.
AAU, ASSOCIATIONS, AND MEMBERS FILE AMICUS BRIEFS TO SUPPORT LAWSUITS AGAINST ADMINISTRATION’S H-1B VISA RESTRICTIONS
On Monday, AAU joined ACE and 22 other higher education associations to file an amicus brief in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The brief supports the complaint filed by Purdue University, the University of Michigan, and Indiana University and 14 other plaintiffs against the Labor Department’s rule that would make it more difficult for high-skilled foreign workers with college degrees to acquire H-1B visas. In the brief, the associations highlight the harm the rule could cause colleges and universities, including increased administrative burden and a chilling effect on the international exchange of ideas.
AAU also joined ACE and 22 other higher education associations to file a similar amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The brief supports a complaint filed by Cornell University, Stanford University, the University of Rochester, the University of Southern California, the University of Utah, and several other organizations against visa rules issued by the Labor Department and Department of Homeland Security.
Additionally, several AAU members were part of a group of 26 colleges and universities joined an amicus brief to support the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The amici include Boston University, Brandeis University, Brown University, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Emory University, Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New York University, The Pennsylvania State University, Princeton University, Rutgers University, the University of Chicago, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University.
AAU, ASSOCIATIONS SUBMIT COMMENTS ON REVIEW OF FOUNDATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CONTROLS
Yesterday, AAU, COGR, APLU, ACE, and AAMC submitted comments in response to the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security’s advance notice of proposed rulemaking about the review of controls on certain foundational technologies. The associations recommend that the bureau avoid imposing overly broad controls on foundational technologies and tailor new export and re-export controls to specific risks proposed by specific countries. The letter concludes by saying that “controls on foundational technology should be the minimum necessary to address the specific national security concern posed by the technology.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
NOVEMBER 12 OFFICE OF SCIENCE GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH PROGRAM NOMINATIONS DUE; Nominations can be submitted by 5:00 p.m. ET Thursday, Nov. 12. More information and nomination instructions can be found here.
DECEMBER 1 GOLDEN GOOSE AWARD VIRTUAL CEREMONY; 4:00 p.m. ET. More information available here.