House Passes “Phase 3.5”

Posted on April 23, 2020

The House conducted a roll-call vote for the first time in nearly a month today to pass H.R. 266, the $484-billion measure that would add funds to the depleted Paycheck Protection Plan and send additional resources to hospitals as well as expand testing efforts. The Senate cleared the bill on Senate by unanimous consent. Both chambers are now once again holding only pro forma sessions.

Before voting on the legislation, the House approved the creation of a new oversight committee to oversee the administration of the COVID-19-related funds approved by Congress.

While discussions about a “Phase 4” bill are underway, it is unlikely that any formal movement will be seen until after both chambers fully return, which is not scheduled to occur until the first week of May.

CRS Report: Effects of COVID-19 on the Federal Research and Development Enterprise

Posted on April 10, 2020

Today the Congressional Research Service released a report detailing some of the effects of COVID-19 on the federal research enterprise. The full report is available here. The report notes social distancing, supply shortages, and disruption to academic staff have had a detrimental impact on federally-funded research. The report also describes efforts within the academic community to maintain continuity.

Higher Education Community Crafts Tax Proposals for Phase 4

Posted on April 8, 2020

On top of the proposals aimed at direct institutional and student needs as well as needs in the research arena, the higher education community has also pulled together a set of tax proposals that seeks to address additional challenges.

One of the top priorities in the package is the request that public entities, including public universities, become eligible to take advantage of the tax credits available to employers that provide paid sick and emergency family and medical leave for employees who are facing COVID-19-related issues. “Phase 2” required all public employers as well as private employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide paid sick and emergency family and medical leave. At the same time, the bill created tax credits for the same set of private sector employers but explicitly prohibited public employers from being eligible for the credits.

House Extends District Work Period

Posted on March 30, 2020

The US House of Representatives has extended the district work period until at least April 20th, 2020 to comply with CDC guidelines. However, members will be called to Washington, DC as needed to vote on any critical or COVID-19 related legislation.

Floor schedule updates can be found here.

House to Take Up Emergency Bill on Friday

Posted on March 26, 2020March 26, 2020

As noted earlier this morning, the Senate passed the $2-trillion relief package last night by a vote of 96 to 0. Before the vote on final passage, there was plenty of last-minute drama that had to be addressed.

One of the late issues was raised by a group of conservative Senators who raised objections to provisions in the bill that would both extend the length of eligibility for unemployment benefits as well as the size of the unemployment checks. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) countered by asserting that he would hold up progress on the legislation if those provisions were changed. Ultimately, the group of conservatives was allowed to offer an amendment that would have decreased the benefits, which was defeated. Following that, the Senate approved the bill 96 to 0.

Even as the Senate was debating the package, questions swirled about how the House would take it up, as most Members are currently back in their districts and face difficult choices about whether and how to return to Washington to vote. At this point, the House is scheduled to bring up the bill on Friday and will seek to pass it by voice vote rather than take a roll call vote.

Read more about the behind the scenes debates and conversations in: