June 5, 2020
What We’re Reading this Week (June 1st-5th, 2020)
Below is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team has read this week. COVID-19: Cases continue to climb as states begin reopening, including a second highest daily spike in Florida. Worldwide, cases are on the rise in certain countries. Live updates at CNN. George Floyd: Protests against police brutality were held in all 50…
June 2, 2020
GOP Reps Sign Letter in Support of International Students
Today, several Republican members of the US House of Representatives, including Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf supporting Optional Practical Training (OPT), and requesting that agencies improve processes to allow international students to enroll…
May 29, 2020
What We’re Reading this Week (May 26th-29th, 2020)
Below is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team read this week. COVID19: More states, including Washington, reopen, the CDC issues guidelines for workplaces, and the US death toll exceeds 100,000. Live updates at CNN. George Floyd: After George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis Police Officer, protests erupted, and the officer, Derek Chauvin,…
Presidential Proclamation on Entry of Certain Chinese Nationals
Today, President Trump announced the United States will block admission for certain Chinese nationals involved with entities that implement or support China’s Military-Civil Fusion (MCF) strategy. The restriction applies to graduate-level and above students on F or J visas, and the State Department can revoke existing visas. The full proclamation is available here.
May 28, 2020
Senate Hearings on Reopening Schools
The US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will hold two hearings related to school reopening and the COVID-19 pandemic. The first hearing “COVID-19: Going Back to College Safely” is on reopening colleges and universities. Date: Tuesday, June 4th, 2020 Time: 7am PT/10am ET Watch live here. The second hearing “COVID-19: Going Back…
May 27, 2020
Research Community Reiterates Call for At Least $26 Billion for Research
In an updated letter to Congressional leadership, associations representing a swath of research institutions reiterated their call to invest at least $26 billion in scientific research in future COVID-19 response bills. Unlike previous communications, this letter calls out specific funding levels for a number of individual agencies, including: $3 billion for NSF $3 billion for…
May 23, 2020
What We’re Reading this Week (May 18th-22nd, 2020)
Below is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team read this week. COVID-19: The US Department of Health and Human Services invested $1 billion in an Oxford University COVID vaccine, to be mass-produced by AstraZeneca. More states relax restrictions as concerns over PPE and rising death tolls continue. Live updates at CNN. Pakistan Airliner:…
May 15, 2020
Another COVID Supplemental Passes in House
Today the US House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 6800 (HEROES Act), a $3 trillion supplemental appropriations bill which includes a wide range of provisions ranging from healthcare to agriculture and nutrition. The legislation now moves to the Senate, although no vote has been scheduled yet. The House also voted on a resolution to…
What We’re Reading this Week (May 11th-15th, 2020)
Below is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team read this week. COVID-19: Lebanon and other countries report an uptick in cases after easing restrictions, some European students return to school, and President Trump appoints people to lead US vaccine effort. Live updates at CNN. India: Cyclone Amphan is forming over the Bay of…
May 13, 2020
GAO Recommends Improved Export Control Guidance for Universities
A report published May 12th from the US Government Accountability Office recommends the US Departments of State and Commerce work together to improve export control guidance to colleges and universities. The report notes that, among schools visited for the report, security practices generally comply with US Government guidance. However, many schools have requested more detailed…