House GOP Proposes Austere FY14 Appropriations Plan

Late yesterday, the House Republicans released new spending targets for FY14 appropriations bills. Under the GOP numbers, the Labor-HHS-ED bill will face a nearly 20 percent reduction on top of the cuts already made in the March 1st sequestration order. These programs would be capped at $121.8 billion — or about $28 billion below the… Read More


This Week in Congress

TUESDAY, MAY 13th Senate Appropriations 2014 APPROPRIATIONS: HOMELAND SECURITY 2:30 p.m., 138 Dirksen Bldg. Subcommittee Hearing WEDNESDAY, MAY 14th Senate Appropriations 2014 APPROPRIATIONS: DEFENSE 10 a.m., SVC-117 Capitol Visitor Center Subcommittee Hearing 2014 APPROPRIATIONS: ENERGY AND WATER 2:30 p.m., 192 Dirksen Bldg. Subcommittee Hearing 2014 APPROPRIATIONS: LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION 2:30 p.m., 138 Dirksen Bldg. Subcommittee… Read More


Appropriations, Sequestration, and Immigration

The Senate is in session today at 2:00pm but there will be no votes today. The House will be back in session at noon Tuesday. Appropriations: The House GOP plans to begin drafting their FY2014 spending bills to adhere to the roughly $967 billion spending cap set by recent budget law, which also reflects the… Read More


Congress to Focus on Budget Issues

After a weeklong break, both the House and Senate are back in session this week. They have a three-week work period before the next break at Memorial Day. During this time, the House is expected to make some progress on their FY14 spending bills. Appropriations Even though there has been no final resolution over the… Read More


This Week in Congress

Congress is continuing to move forward with the appropriations process this week before adjourning on a week long recess next week. Below are some upcoming congressional hearings scheduled that we will be keeping our eye on and may be of interest to the UW community. Tuesday, April 23 Senate Budget 2014 Budget: Veterans’ Programs 10:30… Read More


Consolidated STEM Programs in the President’s Budget

The President’s FY2014 Budget, released on April 10th, proposed moving STEM funding from across the federal government to NSF as well as reorganizing and eliminating certain STEM programs. Dr. John Holdren, the Director of the Office of Science and Tech Policy (OSTP), testified to the House Science and Technology Committee today about the impacts on… Read More


This Week in Congress

The Senate resumes its gun control debate this week, beginning today with the most substantive and contentious issue: a bipartisan proposal to require background checks of gun purchasers in commercial and Internet sales. It’s the start of deliberations that could keep that chamber busy until the Memorial Day recess. We also expect to see an… Read More


Summary of President’s FY14 Budget Request

Yesterday, President Obama released his FY14 budget request — nearly two months later than required by law. Much of the delay was blamed on the sequester and the prolonged FY13 appropriations process that resulted in a year-long continuing resolution (CR). In a typical year, the President’s Budget Request (PBR) kicks off the annual appropriations season,… Read More


FY14 Budget Release Today

President Obama will release his FY14 budget request today. Early reports indicate that the budget will focus on “education and infrastructure” issues, propose new taxes on the wealthy, and reduce the costs of Social Security and Medicare. We will report more details after the release.


Congress Back in Session

Congress reconvenes this week after a two-week recess. Congress will be looking at the President’s Budget Request, and also wrestling with the debt ceiling, which is expected to expire yet again, this time in mid May. Also on the agenda this week (and through the month of April):  immigration reform, gun control/safety, and FY14 appropriations…. Read More