- America's Leading Research Universities Committed to Protecting Nation's Values and Prosperity
- Budget and Appropriations Update
- The Countdown to November 21, Congressional Leaders Mull Second CR
- Senate Appropriations Progress
- SASC Chair Announces Plans for “Skinny” FY20 NDAA
- CNSF Requests at Least $8.6 Billion for NSF
- AAU Submits Comments on OSTP RFI on Strengthening the U.S. Bioeconomy
- Senator Alexander Introduces Plan for FAFSA Simplification
- Trump Reestablishes President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
- Upcoming Events
AMERICA’S LEADING RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES COMMITTED TO PROTECTING
NATION’S VALUES AND PROSPERITY
AAU Presidents and Chancellors Tuesday issued a statement to reaffirm their collective commitment to protecting our nation’s values while working with the government to protect our nation against foreign threats to our scientific enterprise. “We are well aware that some foreign powers seek to exploit and abuse the very openness and inclusivity that has enabled America’s world-leading government-university partnership,” AAU’s Presidents and Chancellors said. “We remain committed to working with our partners in law enforcement and intelligence agencies to ensure that we can protect our nation against such threats.”
BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE
Only 12 joint legislative days remain before the current continuing resolution ends on November 21. In that time, lawmakers must agree and vote on funding levels for all 12 appropriations measures.
Though the Senate this week began floor debate on FY20 appropriations measures, Senate Appropriations Chair Richard Shelby (D-AL) and House Appropriations Chair Nita Lowey (D-NY) have both said a second CR is likely. “Unless a miracle happens around here with the House and the Senate, we will have to come forth with another CR,” said Shelby, before hinting that a second CR would likely run into February or March 2020.
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The Senate Wednesday began debate on a bipartisan “minibus” package of four FY20 appropriations measures unanimously approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, including: Agriculture-FDA, Commerce-Justice-Science, Interior-Environment, and Transportation-HUD. While the Senate has scheduled votes for Monday on three amendments, the other amendments that will get a floor vote has not yet been determined. If an agreement on amendments is reached, a final vote on the package could come as early as next week. Senate Appropriations Chair Richard Shelby (R-AL) said the Senate must “consider and pass this package expeditiously so we can take up the defense package.” The defense package reportedly would include FY20 appropriations bills for: Defense, Homeland Security, Military Construction-VA, and Labor-HHS-Education and would include funding for opioid treatment and prevention.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said that while Senate Democrats would support the first FY20 funding package, the second package contained “certain bills that were not done with any consultation,” which he said would not move forward until the Senate reached “some bipartisan agreement.”
RESOURCES AVAILABLE: AAU FY20 Funding Priorities Table
SASC CHAIR ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR “SKINNY” FY20 NDAA
Senate Armed Services Chair James Inhofe (R-OK) announced his plans to next week introduce a pared-down, back-up “skinny” version of the FY20 NDAA in the event that House and Senate negotiators cannot agree on a compromise bill before the end of the year. Major sticking points in negotiations have included the use of Defense Department funds to pay for the border wall. “We’re running out of time,” Inhofe said of the bill. “A skinny bill is not a substitute for a full bill, but it might be a necessary next step if we don’t reach an agreement soon.” House Armed Services Committee Chair Adam Smith (D-WA) said that he would continue to push for a bipartisan agreement, but added “any bill that does not restrict wall funding would be challenging to bring to the House floor. It is equivalent to failure.”
The defense authorization bill has been enacted for 58 consecutive years.
CNSF REQUESTS AT LEAST $8.6 BILLION FOR NSF
The Coalition for National Science Funding, of which AAU is a member, today sent a letter to House and Senate Appropriations Committee leaders urging them to complete the FY20 Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill before the current continuing resolution expires November 21. The letter also urges committee leaders to make funding for NSF a high priority by appropriating at least $8.6 billion in FY20. While this funding level would allow NSF to continue U.S. leadership in science and technology, the Coalition respectfully suggests that more funds are needed to address the effect of years of underinvestment at the agency.
AAU SUBMITS COMMENTS ON OSTP RFI ON STRENGTHENING THE U.S. BIOECONOMY
AAU Tuesday submitted comments in response to the Office of Science and Technology Policy’s recent request for information on the U.S. Bioeconomy. In the letter, AAU commends OSTP for their work with the National Science and Technology Council to form the Joint Committee on the Research Environment. AAU's comments included: clearing regulatory bottlenecks caused by duplicative paperwork requirements; attracting and retaining scientific talent; and providing clarity and harmony on agency requirements for research project safeguards.
SENATOR ALEXANDER INTRODUCES PLAN FOR FAFSA SIMPLIFICATION
Senate HELP Committee Chair Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) Tuesday introduced the FAFSA Simplification Act, legislation that would simplify the application process for federal student aid. “This bill will simplify the FAFSA and reduce the number of questions to 18-30 basic questions about a student, their family, and their plans for college.” Alexander said of the legislation. “It will also greatly reduce the need for the burdensome verification process that stops a student’s Pell grant payment while their family scrambles to submit their federal tax information, and will allow students as young as middle school to easily learn about their likely Pell grant award, so they can begin to plan for college.”
TRUMP REESTABLISHES PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL OF ADVISORS ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The president Tuesday in an executive order reconstituted the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. This group advises the president on “science, technology, and innovation on topics critical to the Nation’s security and economy, and the health and welfare of the American people.” The White House press release states, “the Council will provide policy recommendations on strengthening American leadership in science and technology, building the Workforce of the Future, and supporting foundational research and development across the country.”
Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier will Chair PCAST, and former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy Edward McGinnis will serve as Executive Director. The Council’s first five members include: Bank of America Chief Operations and Technology Officer Catherine Bessant; S.C. Johnson and Son, Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer H. Fisk Johnson; IBM Director of Research Dario Gil; Cyclo Therapeutics Chief Scientific Officer Sharon Hrynkow; Dow Chemical Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Dr. A.N. Sreeram; HP Inc. Chief Technology Officer Shane Wall; and University of California, Berkeley Director of Quantum Information and Computation Center K. Birgitta Whaley. The Council will include 16 members, the remainder of whom will be announced at a later date.
UPCOMING EVENTS
OCTOBER 31 2019 DEFENSE INNOVATION BOARD PUBLIC MEETING; 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET, Georgetown University, 3700 O St. NW, Washington, D.C. RSVP here by October 25. Livestream will be posted here.