Federal Relations
June 21, 2010
Little Signs of Life in FY11 Appropriations Process
The consideration of FY11 spending bills has been delayed for weeks, largely due to the inability of the House and Senate to produce a budget resolution. Each year, one of the first steps Congress takes in the appropriations process is the development of a budget resolution. A budget resolution sets the spending limits for the 12
June 17, 2010
Energy & Climate Action Remains Uncertain
The Gulf oil spill continues to complicate negotiations on a legislative pathway for energy and climate legislation. While many agree, including the President, that Congress must take action on an energy bill this year, several moderate senators remain unconvinced that a climate bill can garner the necessary votes in the Senate. The Senate continues to
June 14, 2010
Education Funding Proposal Still Alive
The House of Representatives continues to explore options for providing funds to states to save education jobs and to close the shortfall in the Pell Grant program, as part of a fiscal year 2010 supplemental spending bill. The $84 billion bill crafted by House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI) includes $23 billion to help states avoid laying off
This Week on Capitol Hill June 14-18
Senate Floor Activities Tax Extenders/Social Safety-net Legislation House Floor Activities H.R. 4899, Supplemental Appropriations Act Senate Committee Activities Tuesday, June 15 Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee Energy Subcommittee Hearing – Considering several small energy bills, including S. 679, to establish a research, development, demonstration and commercial application program to promote research of technologies for
June 9, 2010
OMB Seeking FY12 Agency Budget Cuts
Yesterday, the White Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued two memoranda instructing non-security federal agencies to submit two separate plans for cutting both spending and low-priority programs in their FY12 budget submissions. The first memorandum, from OMB Director Peter Orszag, requires each agency to submit an FY12 budget request that is five percent below
June 7, 2010
This Week on Capitol Hill, June 7-11
FLOOR ACTION The Senate will consider a number of judicial nominations on Monday, June 7. Later in the week, senators may consider a bill to extend expired tax provisions and social safety-net programs. On Thursday, the Senate is expected to debate whether to proceed to a resolution disapproving of the EPA’s endangerment finding on greenhouse
Congress Returns to Unfinished Business
Congress returns this week from its one-week Memorial Day recess with the Senate ready to take up the House-passed “extenders” bill, while the House determines their next move on the FY10 supplemental bill. Tax Extenders: The tax extenders measure (HR 4213) under consideration in the Senate includes a number of important program authorities that expired
June 6, 2010
President Nominates New NSF Director
President Obama has announced the nomination of Subra Suresh as Director of the National Science Foundation. Dr. Suresh will undergo a Senate confirmation process in the coming weeks. A copy of Dr. Suresh’s biography follows.
June 1, 2010
This Week on Capitol Hill, June 1-4
Congress is in recess this week. The Senate will resume Monday, June 7th at 2:00 pm and the House will resume Tuesday, June 8th at 2:00 pm.
May 31, 2010
Education Provisions in Tax Extension Bill
Before leaving for the Memorial Day congressional recess, the House passed a package of tax “extenders” (HR 4213) by a vote of 215 to 204. It retroactively extended a number of expired provisions of interest to the higher education community, including: the tuition deduction, the ability to “rollover” Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) without penalty; and,