The U.S. Department of State is seeking feedback on proposed regulatory changes in its Exchange Visitor Program, which effects foreign faculty, researchers, and students.  The proposed rules, which are open to public comment through November 23, 2009, amend Subpart A, General Provisions, of the J exchange visitor regulations. The notice can be found at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-22822.htm.

[Please note that times listed are all Eastern Daylight Time.]  Neither the House nor the Senate is in session on Monday, October 12, in observance of Columbus Day.  The Senate: Convenes Tuesday at 2:00 pm (EDT) to consider HR 2847, the fiscal 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science spending bill.   A procedural vote on a substitute amendment is expected… Read More

Since the end of July, Washington DC and the UW Office of Federal Relations welcomed no less than eleven faculty and staff from the Seattle and Bothell campuses.  Almost all were in DC to attend professional association meetings, but they were also able to spend some time speaking to representatives of federal agencies and staff of the… Read More

Congress continues  to push through appropriations bills as fiscal 2009 ends on Wednesday.  In the Senate:  considers HR 3326, 2010 Defense Spending; HR 2918, Legislative Branch and stopgap spending;   Finance Committee consinues marking up its health care overhaul bill; HR 3548 (tentative), Unemployment aid extension.  In The House:  Considers a bill to expand non-military aid to Pakistan; Considers HR… Read More

Today, the University of Washington Office of Federal Relations released its call for proposals for inclusion in the official FY11 University of Washington Federal Agenda. The agenda will serve as the basis for advocacy efforts during the congressional appropriations process that begins early next year. Guidelines can be found by clicking the Federal Agenda Submission… Read More

In the Senate: The Senate will debte amendments to the fiscal 2010 Interior-Environment Spending Bill, with votes expected on Tuesday.  A vote on pasage is likely by the end of the week.  The Senate is then likely to consider either the fiscal 2010 Defense Spending Bill or the Military Construction-VA Spending Bill. The Senate Finance… Read More

Monday, September 14 Floor Action: The Senate will resume consideration of the fiscal 2010 Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill (HR 3288). Roll call votes are possible after 5:30 p.m.  The House is expected to take up several measures under suspension of the rules. Votes expected at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 15 Both the House and the Senate… Read More

Last Friday, the House voted 264-153 to approve the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education spending bill for fiscal year 2010. Included in the House legislation is $73.7 billion in discretionary funding for Department of Health and Human Services programs. Funding would increase by $92 million for nursing programs, $10 million for children’s hospitals’ graduate medical education programs,… Read More