February 10, 2009
As expected, late Monday afternoon, the Senate voted to advance the “Nelson-Collins Amendment” to the proposed economic recovery package. The amendment, drafted primarily by Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Susan Collins (R-ME), trimmed the size of the underlying economic recovery bill by approximately $100 billion and garnered enough support (on a 61-36 vote ending debate)… Read More
February 10, 2009
The confirmation process for President-elect Obama’s remaining cabinet nominees went somewhat off track last week; as Tom Daschle’s nomination was derailed due to federal income tax issues. Mr. Daschle’s decision to withdraw from the confirmation process was seen as a significant setback by those seeking to advance health care reform later this year. The former… Read More
February 9, 2009
Project Title Project Description Amount Funding Mechanism Appropriations Bill and Account Institute for Simulation and Interprofessional Studies (ISIS) Supports the development of new methods for deployment training and reset training of soldiers in the Madigan Army Medical Center Warrior Transition Unit, as well as reintegration training of physicians and civilian reservists in the Pacific Northwest;… Read More
February 6, 2009
Next month, campus international education officials and a number of university presidents and chancellors will come to Washington, D.C. for a conference to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title VI, which authorizes the international education programs funded through the Department of Education. The Title VI meeting and celebration will be held March 19 to 21… Read More
February 6, 2009
On February 3rd, the House of Representatives passed the Campus Safety Act of 2009 (HR 748) by voice vote. The legislation was sponsored by Congressman Robert C. Scott (D-VA), chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. The measure has drawn bipartisan support, including that of the subcommittee’s ranking member, Louie… Read More
February 6, 2009
The House leadership has indicated that they will now delay consideration of an omnibus FY09 appropriations bill until after the President’s Day recess. It is possible that some of the spending provisions stripped out of the economic recovery package – in order to gain passage – will be added to the FY09 omnibus.
February 6, 2009
A procedural rule requiring that 60 senators vote to end debate on a piece of legislation has necessitated a more bi-partisan approach to passing an economic recovery in the Senate as compared to the House of Representatives. A series of amendments are expected to be offered and voted on throughout the day, as has been… Read More
February 2, 2009
A provision in the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), enacted late last year, mandates that an existing federal student aid advisory group begin collecting information on burdensome federal regulations and develop recommendations to improve institutional compliance and reduce duplication and inefficiency. To comply with its new charge, the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance –… Read More
February 2, 2009
The House of Representatives may take up an omnibus fiscal year 2009 appropriations bill this week, which would fund many federal agencies through September 30th of this year. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) indicated, last week that he would seek to advance the legislation in the next few days, even though work on the… Read More
February 2, 2009
Last week, the House of Representatives passed (H.R.1) an $819 billion economic recovery package. The measure includes $550 billion in spending and $275 billion in tax provisions. The legislation passed the House on a 244-188 party line vote. This week, the Senate will continue consideration of its own version (S.1) of an economic recovery package…. Read More
