August 7, 2020
What We’re Reading this Week (August 3rd-7th, 2020)
Keep up with what’s happening in DC. Below is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team read this week. Taking Action on the 737 MAX: The FAA has outlined required design and operational changes needed for the 737 MAX to fly again, however the FAA also wants to fine Boeing $1.25M for interfering with…
August 3, 2020
Still Not Close
Even as the federal unemployment enhancement support of $600 per week officially expired last week, the White House, Congressional Republicans, and Congressional Democrats are still not close to a deal on the next COVID-19 relief bill. While Republicans offered a short-term unemployment extension, Democrats rejected it as the sides are not close on a deal…
July 31, 2020
What We’re Reading this Week (July 27th-31st, 2020)
Keep up with what’s happening in DC. Below is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team has read this week. Congressman John Lewis Lain in State: On Monday, Congressman John Lewis was lain in state in the Capitol Rotunda as lawmakers paid their respects. Footage here. Education Civil Rights Chief Steps Down: Kenneth Marcus,…
And Then There Were Two
Earlier today, the House finished debate on and passed the second “minibus” of FY2021 spending bills. The passage of H. R. 7617, which is made up of six bills, leaves two bills for further action, Homeland Security and Legislative Branch.
July 30, 2020
NSF Updates FAQ for Grant Recipients Impacted by COVID-19
In response to inquiries from the community, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has updated FAQs related to NSF’s implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-26, “Extension of Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations,” dated June 18, 2020. The updated FAQ is available…
Meanwhile, the FY2021 Appropriations Bills Move Along
While most of the public’s attention is focused on the difficult negotiations that may or may not be taking placing on the next COVID relief package, the clock continues to count down to the start of FY2021. The House is working to adopt a second “minibus” of spending bills before this weekend. Instead of taking…
July 29, 2020
Let the Negotiations Begin
It turns out that the COVID relief package that the Senate Republicans released yesterday is made up of eight separate bills, with each one attempting to address a different aspect of the relief and recovery effort. They range from a supplemental appropriations bill that would provide funding to myriad agencies and programs to policy bills…
July 28, 2020
DHS to Reject Initial DACA Applications
The US Department of Homeland Security has announced it will reject initial DACA applications, and will “thoughtfully consider the future of the DACA policy, including whether to fully rescind the program”. The following changes will take effect immediately: Reject all initial requests for DACA and associated applications for Employment Authorization Documents; Reject new and pending…
Senate Republicans Release Their Relief Package
Late yesterday afternoon, the Senate Republicans released their anticipated COVID relief package. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has said in the past that this is the last COVID relief bill that the Republicans will consider. The package itself is made up of a number of different bills, with each one dealing with a different set…
July 27, 2020
Will We See More Appropriations and Senate “COVID 4.0” This Week?
After adopting a four-bill spending package for FY2021 last week, the House is currently scheduled to take up an even larger seven-bill “minibus” later this week, H.R. 7617.The legislation combines the FY2021 Defense, Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy and Water Development, Labor-HHS-Education, Financial Services-General Government, Homeland Security, and Transportation-HUD measures. As we noted last week, the Senate has yet…