Congress Looks to Correct COVID-19-related GI Bill Problems

Posted on March 13, 2020March 17, 2020

Both chambers of Congress are expected to take up legislation that would correct a problem in the GI Bill program caused by Covid-19.

As a result of how the current statutes and regulations are written and interpreted, the sudden transition of academic programs from traditional on-campus models to on-line programs without prior approval would lead to the loss of education and associated housing benefits for the recipient of the GI Bill. The veterans community as well as the higher education community, including individual institutions like the University of Washington, have become aware of the problem and have weighed in, asking for a solution.

The letter to the Senate from the higher education associations is available here while the letter to the House is available here. We will share a letter led by Student Veterans of America as it becomes available.

Department of Education Rule Change Rebuked in Bipartisan Vote

Posted on March 11, 2020

Today the Senate voted 53-42 to block a rewrite from the Department of Education overturning the “borrower defense” rule. The rule was put in place during the Obama Administration and governs the process for wiping out student debt when the student has been defrauded by a predatory for-profit college.

Ten Republican senators broke with the Trump administration to vote in favor of the resolution, which now heads to President Trump to be signed into law. The legislation does not have a veto-proof majority, so the President can opt to veto.

President Signs Supplemental

Posted on March 6, 2020

President Trump has signed an $8.3 Billion supplemental appropriations bill, enacting the legislation into law. The additional funding to combat COVID-19 is appropriated for CDC, NIH, FDA, HHS, and the Department of State.

Senate Passes Supplemental

Posted on March 5, 2020March 5, 2020

The Senate passed the $8.3 billion supplemental to address COVID-19 with only one Senator voting against. The House passed the measure last night.

The President has said he would sign the measure.

White House Releases American AI Initiative: Year One Annual Report

Posted on February 28, 2020

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy released the American AI Initiative: Year One Annual Report on February 26, 2020. The full report can be viewed here.

The report details key milestones since President Trump made artificial intelligence a focus of US national strategy in February 2019.

The national strategy focuses on investing in AI development, enhancing access to quality resources, removing barriers to innovation, training an AI-ready workforce, promoting a supportive international environment, and embracing trustworthy AI for government services.

Demonstrating this commitment, the Administration has pushed for increased funding for AI research in the FY21 Budget Request.