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Author: Gabriel Kornas

Senator Murray Unveils Bill to Help Schools Address COVID-19

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US Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) unveiled today a $2.7 Billion package aimed to assist schools and colleges with providing for student needs amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Murray is the Ranking Member on both the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, as well as the Appropriations subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.

The Supporting Students in Response to Coronavirus Act would provide over $1 Billion to ensure college students have access to food, housing, child care, and other basic needs, as well as help institutions prepare for closures and pay cleaning fees. The bill would also ensure students do not have to pay back financial aid if they are forced to withdraw, and gives the Department of Education more flexibility regarding financial aid. Additionally, the proposal would help staff childcare centers and increase funds for the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. The bill is cosponsored by Democratic Leader Senator Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Gillibrand (D-NY).

Read the full story at Forbes.

Office of Federal Relations Notice on DC Hill Visits

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As of Thursday, March 12th, the Office of Federal Relations strongly advises members of the UW community not to travel to Washington, DC for meetings. The US Capitol complex is closed to the general public through April 1st, and most offices in the area, including the Office of Federal Relations, are instituting telework policies. Our office is unable to schedule in-person meetings, or attend in-person meetings on behalf of the University. This is a fluid situation, and we will post updated information as it becomes available.

We are happy to try and arrange conference calls to discuss issues of relevance to UW.

For university-wide updates, please go to https://www.washington.edu/coronavirus/

Senate Cancels March Recess

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The US Senate has canceled the state work period (recess) scheduled to run from March 16th-20th, 2020. Lawmakers will be in Washington, DC as Congress aims to pass a coronavirus response plan.

Federal Debt: A Primer

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The Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which provides nonpartisan budgetary and economic analysis for Congress, released their report Federal Debt: A Primer. The report outlines how federal debt has nearly tripled between 2008-2019. Featured in the report is an explanation of public debt, facts and figures, and the CBO’s projections for future debt.