Skip to content

Seen in DC in November

The pace of visitors coming to Washington DC slowed quite a bit in November, which is typical for this time of year.  In fact there were only three from campus.  The first was Randy Hodgins, Vice President of External Affairs, who was here the first week of November.  Randy and the Federal Relations team of Christy Gullion (Director) and Jonathan Nurse (Assistant Director)  visited offices of the Washington delegation to discuss the projects that have been submitted for inclusion as directed appropriations (earmarks) in the FY 2011 budget.   Randy was able to stay through Saturday to join UW alums in cheering on the Huskies football game.

 Elaine Oneil, Dean of Forest Resources and Executive Director of CORRIM (Consortium for Research on Renewable Industrial Materials), was in DC November 18 to the 20th.  She testified before a subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on “The Management of Federal Forests in Response to Climate Change, Including for Natural Resource Adaptation and Carbon Sequestration.”  While she was here she was also able to meet with some of the Washington delegation staff about the issue.  In Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ office, Elaine briefed staff on a project she recently completed on biomass availability from forest residuals from McMorris Rodgers’ district.

 The last visitor to DC was David Allen, Chair of Women’s Studies, who was here to attend a meeting of the White House Council on Women and Girls at the White House on November 23.  This Council was appointed by President Obama in March of this year; they were interested in gathering feedback regarding the UW’s efforts in this area and the UW program.

This Week on Capitol Hill Nov 30 – Dec 4

The Senate reconvened Monday, November 30, to begin formal debate on the health care legislation; the debate will most likely last through the month of December.

The House will reconvene Tuesday at 2:00 pm, with votes postponed until 6:30 pm.  It will consider measures under suspension of the rules, including HR 3598, the Energy and Water Research Integration Act.

Senate Committee Meetings

Wednesday, 12/2:

Energy & Natural Resources will hold a full committee hearing on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Thursday, 12/3:

  • Energy & Natural Resources will hold a full committee hearing on Medical Isotopes Production.
  • Indian Affairs will mark up a bill on  Indian Youth suicide Prevention; Indian Health Care, and will also hold a full committee oversight hearing on Dental Health Care for Indians and Underfunding of Indian Health Services.

House Committee Meetings

Wednesday, 12/2:

  • Agriculture will hold a subcommittee hearing on the Economic Impact of Climate Change.  
  • Select Energy Independence & Global Warming  will hold a full committee hearing on the State of Climate Science.
  • Veterans’ Affairs will hold a full committee hearing on VA Health Care Funding.

Thursday, 12/3:

  • Oversight & Government Reform will hold a subcommittee hearing on Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy.
  • Veterans’ Affairs will hold a subcommittee hearing on Veterans’ Education Issues.

Source:  CQ.com Alert

Dept. of Commerce Seeking Nominations for Innovation Advisory Council

The Department of Commerce (DOC) is seeking nominees for a new Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship whose primary purpose is to “identify and recommend solutions to issues critical to enabling entrepreneurs and firms to successfully commercialize new ideas and technologies into high-growth, innovation-based businesses and to create new jobs.”

The deadline for nominations is close of business, Monday, November 30.

Nomiees will be selected to provide a balance of perspectives and expertise, with diversity in industry, experience, and geographic area. Priority “may be given to successful entrepreneurs, innovators, angel investors, venture capitalists, and other experts drawn from non-governmental organizations, foundations and non-profits that have significant experience in innovation and entrepreneurship.” Candidates are limited to U.S. citizens who are not full-time government employees, registered foreign agents, or federally registered lobbyists.

Full Notice

Majority Leader Unveils Senate Health Care Bill

Last night, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) released the long awaited health insurance reform package that merges bills advanced by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590), would cost roughly $848 billion over 10 years and to extend coverage to 31 million people by 2019. However, it would leave 24 million without coverage.

Full Bill: HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Senator Reid’s bill includes a public insurance option with a state opt-out, and creates state-based insurance exchanges to expand access to affordable insurance and create new non-profit co-ops. Initial procedural votes on the legislation could take place as early as this weekend. Analysis of the Senate health reform legislation will be available momentarily.

Timeline Slipping for Major Legislation

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) announced this week that a climate bill will not likely emerge before the spring of 2010. The announcement confirms that at least 1 of 3 (and likely all 3) of President Obama’s top legislative initiatives for 2009 will slip into 2010 -the other two being health care and student aid reform. Some proponents of the three pieces of legislation hoped to move to completion this year, as to avoid political considerations made by the 2010 mid-term election season. The cap-and-trade climate legislation, introduced by Senator Kerry and Senator Boxer (D-CA), initially drew support from accross the aisle; as Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC) came out in support of the effort. However, since then, the bill has garnered little bipartisan support; passing the Senate Energy and Public Works Committee without Rebuplican support on the panel and after a boycott of the mark-up. At present, it appears that Senator Kerry is trying to put together a compromise that will garner the 60 votes necessary to break a filibuster; much the same tactic that is being employed by Majority Leader Reid in advancing a health-care overhaul.

Given that the Senate companion bill to the House Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA) has been linked to the passage of health care reform, student aid reform remains on hold. Leaders on the Hill have indicated that both chambers will likely be in session until the third full week of December.