House Members have returned to their districts for a full six weeks of campaigning ahead of the midterm elections, but plenty of activity continues in the Senate and executive branch.
- President Trump banned CNN, Politico, and MS NOW reporters from the White House over the weekend. All three news outlets have announced they plan to file a lawsuit today.
- Judge Postpones Effective Date of Rule Limiting International Student Visas: Last week, Judge F. Dennis Saylor of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a nationwide preliminary injunction postponing DHS from implementing their final rule ending the “duration of status” framework for F, J, and I visa holders.
- White House Moves to Take Control of NIH Grants: In a White House meeting Friday, an executive order was discussed with plans to create a new external committee with the power to veto NIH awards. It’s the latest in reported clashes between OMB Director Russell Vought and NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya over funding projects that conflict with administration priorities.
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In a statement, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Chair of the Appropriations Committee said: “The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) should not be involved in agency decisions on the awards of grants. As I stated in my July 6 letter, a proposed OMB rule would politicize grantmaking. The Continuing Resolution — which passed the Senate, House, and was signed into law on September 2 – blocks OMB’s proposed rule or any substantially similar one. Any attempt to politicize grantmaking at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), or any other agency, by another means—whether an Executive Order or guidance—is contrary to congressional intent. Imposing a political review on awards that have already been selected through a rigorous scientific and merit-based process undermines the long-standing principle that the government funds awards based on scientific need and merit, rather than political ideology.”
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In the Senate this week:
- A final vote for the Protect College Sports Act could come as soon as this week. On September 17, the Senate voted 77-22 to move the bill forward to debate and final vote. It could be the last item Congress votes on before midterms, raising concerns for some Republicans who say they should be focusing on issues of affordability, the war in Iran, and other issues which are top of mind for voters.
- Nomination Hearing (Thurs. Sept. 24): Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions for Dr. Heidi Overton to be FDA Commissioner