Biden Signs EO on Title IX

Posted on March 8, 2021

President Biden has signed an Executive Order on Guaranteeing an Educational Environment Free from Discrimination on the Basis of Sex, Including Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity (March 8th, 2021).

The EO requires the Secretary of Education to review the Trump Administration rule “Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance,” 85 Fed. Reg. 30026 (May 19, 2020).

Any efforts to repeal or significantly change the rule would likely need to go through the formal rulemaking process.

NIH Launches Initiative Aimed at Combatting Structural Racism

Posted on March 1, 2021March 1, 2021

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched UNITE, an initiative aimed at identifying and addressing structural racism within NIH programs and the scientific community. The initiative is being informed by five committees with experts from all 27 NIH institutes and centers. Read more here.

UW Publishes 2021 Federal Agenda

Posted on February 23, 2021

The University of Washington has published our 2021 Federal Agenda outlining our top priorities for the coming year. Our agenda reflects a commitment to service, excellence, and innovation, taking into account the unique challenges of the past year.

We are proud of our longstanding partnership with the federal government and look forward to further collaboration in 2021.

Biden Repeals EO on Diversity Trainings

Posted on January 22, 2021

President Biden has repealed a Trump-administration Executive Order 13950 requiring all new and amended federal government contracts to include language prohibiting the contractor from implementing any workplace training that endorsed what the Order deemed “divisive concepts,” including that an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, is prone to behaviors that are inherently racist or sexist.

Biden’s Executive Order repeals the Trump order in its entirety and affirms it is the policy of the federal government to “pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.”

More details here.

Austin Confirmed as Secretary of Defense

Posted on January 22, 2021

Earlier today, the Senate confirmed Lloyd Austin as the Secretary of Defense by a vote of 93 -2. The retired four-star general becomes the first African American to assume that position.

Before he could be confirmed, both chambers of Congress had to grant him a waiver to serve in that position. The waiver was needed as military personnel need to be out of uniform for seven years before serving as the Secretary. The Senate approved the waiver 69 – 27 while the House preceded it by a vote of 326 – 78.

Read more about the confirmation here and here.