Author: Gabriel Kornas

Here is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team has read this week.

Supreme Court Strikes Down Gerrymandering Case: The Supreme Court ruled that federal judges cannot interfere in the drawing of electoral maps, reversing a lower court decision that invalidated sections of the redrawn Michigan electoral map. The original case challenged the map as giving the GOP an unfair advantage. Full story at Roll Call.

President Trump Appoints Advisors to Science Panel: The President has made seven of sixteen appointments to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). Almost all the nominees come from the private sector, although five hold doctoral degrees. One nominee comes directly from academia, and one nominee previously worked in the government, at the US Department of State and the National Institutes of Health. Full story at Science Magazine.

Both Sides are Unhappy about Syria Withdrawal: Bipartisan outcry over the withdrawal of US troops from Syria, which has allowed Turkey to invade Kurdish-controlled areas, is mounting. Although the President has authority over the armed forces, both chambers of Congress are preparing sanctions against Turkey as a form of condemnation. The House has already passed a resolution condemning the President’s actions. Meanwhile, Russia and Turkey have signed an agreement to control the northern Syrian border. More at Vox.

House Committee Approves Vaping Tax: In response to concerns about vaping-related deaths and illnesses, the House Ways and Means Committee approved a tax on vaping products. The tax is equal to that on tobacco and is estimated to raise $10 billion over a decade. The bill will now advance to the full House for a vote, before moving on to the Senate. See Bloomberg for more.

House Republicans Storm Secure Committee Room: As a form of protest, Republican members of Congress entered and occupied the Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) where a top Pentagon official was set to begin her deposition related to US policy towards Ukraine and the impeachment inquiry. A screaming match soon began between Republican protesters and Democrats on the committee. The Republicans accused the Democrats of conducting a sham investigation, while the Republicans stand accused of violating security protocols and trying to deflect attention away from mounting evidence against President Trump. The SCIF is designated for highly classified information, and the protesters took no apparent measures to protect any classified material in the room at the time, such as leaving electronic devices outside. More at Roll Call.

Education Secretary Held in Contempt: Federal Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim, of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, held Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in contempt of court and issued a $100,000 fine. The Department of Education had continued to collect on loan payments made by students who attended a predatory, for-profit school, despite an order to cease collection. A group of the students are suing the Department of Education, Secretary DeVos, and the college. Full story at Politico.

Here is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team has read this week.

Courts Block Green Card Restrictions: Federal Judges in three states, including Washington, blocked an immigration rule which would have gone into effect on October 15th. The “public charge rule” would expand how public benefit usage is factored into permanent residency determinations.  Although “public policy charges” have been part of immigration law for over a century, the expanded rule would penalize applicants for using a much broader range of services. The nationwide injunction, issued by Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, determined the Department of Homeland Security acted outside its’ authority as delegated by Congress. Read more at NPR.

Congressman Elijah Cummings: Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) passed away in hospital on Thursday, October 17th due to what was described as “longstanding health challenges”. Rep. Cummings was a highly regarded Congressman and powerful figure in the Democratic caucus, serving as Chair of the House Oversight Committee. He was in Congress for over twenty years. Read more at Politico.

EU/UK Brexit Deal: The EU and UK announced they have reached a deal on Brexit, which will now have to pass both the EU and UK parliament. Time is running out on Prime Minister Borris’ plan to leave the EU by October 31st. Read more at BBC.

Diplomatic Spat Over Death of UK Citizen: Relations between the US and UK have been strained after the wife of a US Official was involved in a fatal car accident in the UK.  While driving on the wrong side of the road, Anne Sacoolas struck and killed Harry Dunn, who was riding a motorcycle. Sacoolas, married to a US Official based in England, claimed diplomatic immunity and left the UK some weeks after the incident. The Dunn family has embarked on a campaign urging the US to extradite Sacoolas to face charges in the UK. President Trump supposedly attempted to set up a surprise meeting between the two families in the White House, further complicating the situation and offending the grieving family. Read more at Vox.

Senate Fails to Halt Border Emergency: Congress passed a measure,  S.J. Res. 54 (116), which would have stopped President Trump from diverting billions of dollars in federal funds to construct a border wall. However, President Trump vetoed the measure, sending it back to the Senate. The Senate was unable to override the veto by a 2/3 vote, meaning the border emergency declaration will remain in place. Read more at Politico.

Science Integrity Bill Moves Forward: H.R. 1709, a House bill which aims to protect science from political influence, has advanced after gaining enough bipartisan support in the Science Committee. Initially, there had been push back over how closely Federal agencies’ media policies would be regulated. Now that the bill has passed in the House Science Committee, it will move to the full House for a vote. Read more at Science Magazine.

Here is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team has read this week.

Impeachment Saga: UW Federal Relations continues to monitor the impeachment inquiry, especially as Congress prepares to return from recess next week. The Government is currently operating on a Continuing Resolution due to expire on November 21st, meaning appropriations are still an urgent concern. However, focus has primarily been on the whistleblower complaint against President Trump and his actions towards Ukraine. The White House is resolved not to cooperate, which will drag out the inquiry. For the latest updates, you can visit the Washington Post (or any other major news outlet, really).

NIH Examining Racial Bias in Grant Awards: A 2011 study by economist Dr. Donna Ginther revealed proposals authored by Black researchers were significantly less likely to receive NIH funding. Since then, NIH has been examining how this phenomenon occurs, although they have yet to produce solid answers. Some likely factors include that grant reviewers must be awardees, meaning if less Black applicants are awarded, less Black scholars will sit on the review boards. Additionally, the research suggested biases in favor of the topics which tended to be proposed by White researchers. You can read the full story at Science Magazine.

Middle East Studies Program Continues: The Duke-UNC Middle East Studies Consortium will continue to receive federal funding, after being ordered to revise its curriculum by the Department of Education. The Education Department accused the University of promoting a “positive view of Islam” and not including enough perspectives on Christianity and Judaism, leading to anti-Semitic bias. The Department did say, however, that they will continue to closely monitor Middle East studies programs throughout the country which receive federal funding. The full story is available from the Washington Post.

Ethiopian Prime Minister wins Nobel Peace Prize: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize today for his efforts restoring diplomatic relations with Eritrea after years of hostilities, improving Ethiopian civil society, and empowering women. Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have been riddled with border conflict and ongoing tensions. Restoring diplomatic relations allows for families to reunite, and for greater cooperation between the neighbor countries on a variety of issues. Prime Minister Ahmed also lifted Ethiopia’s state of emergency, removed censorships on the media, and granted amnesty to thousands of political prisoners. Experts hope Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki will institute similar positive reforms, including reintroducing the Eritrean Constitution. Full story at the New York Times.

Turkey Begins Offensive in Syria: Despite global outcry, including bipartisan condemnation from the US, Turkey began its assault on Kurdish-controlled parts of northern Syria this week. Turkey considers the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which controls the area, to be a terrorist organization. Previously, US troops in Syria worked closely with the SDF in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS). However, President Trump has now withdrawn all US forces from Syria, allowing Turkey to move forward with an offensive against the SDF and Kurdish groups in the area. Many members of the international community are also concerned with what will happen to ISIS prisoners, who are being held in the area. Members of both parties have warned of serious national security implications, and have urged President Trump to take corrective action to protect Kurds in Syria. For the latest developments, visit BBC.