House Science Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, R-TX, published an op-ed in Politico today. In it, he asserts that federal budget is so taken up with entitlements that the nation’s investment in science is suffering and will continue to suffer as a result. Further, Chairman Smith argues that entitlement reform means more funding for basic science and R&D.
Category: Higher Education
Next US Under Secretary of Education?
Unconfirmed rumors are that Ted Mitchell will be nominated as the next US Under Secretary of Education, replacing Martha Kanter. Mitchell is currently the CEO of NewSchools Venture Fund and the former President of Occidental College. While Kanter’s career has focused on higher education issues, Mitchell’s background is more focused on K-12 issues. The White House has not yet confirmed this information.
This Week in Congress
Congress returned from their five-week August recess today. There are a few issues of interest to us that they are expected to tackle in the next couple months, but much of the legislative calendar has been rearranged around the situation in Syria. Below are a couple of hearings this week that have been confirmed and we are keeping an eye on.
TUESDAY, September 10, 2013
House Education and the Workforce
Institute of Education Sciences
Full Committee Hearing
10 am, 2175 Rayburn
WEDNESDAY, September 11, 2013
House Education and the Workforce
Higher Education Affordability
Subcommittee Hearing
12 pm, 2175 Rayburn Building
WA Member Bills
Below are a couple of recently introduced bills by our own Washington congressional delegation that we are tracking. More information about these bills can be found at thomas.loc.gov
HR 2105 – Information Technology Exchange Program Act of 2013
Sponsor: Congressman Derek Kilmer (D-WA)
Introduced: 5/22/2013
Current Status: Referred to House Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats, and Capabilities.
Summary: The bill aims to continue a program that allows employees from the private sector or academia to temporarily work for the Department of Defense (DOD) and DOD employees to work in the private sector. This will help DOD to modernize and protect and our nation’s information technology infrastructure and will help benefit private industry and academic institutions when developing tools and products to make lasting and significant contributions to the national defense.
Kilmer Press Release
HR 2944 – TIGER CUBS Act
Sponsor: Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA)
Introduced: 8/1/2013
Current Status: Referred to House Committees on Appropriations and the Budget
Summary: With the full name of the bill, The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery for Cities Underfunded Because of Size Act of 2013, this bill would set aside 20 percent of special transportation infrastructure funding (TIGER funds) for smaller cities.
Larsen Press Release
Obama’s Plan for College Affordability
Last Thursday and Friday, President Obama toured several colleges and universities touting a new plan for higher education access and affordability. The Offices of Planning & Budgeting and Federal Relations prepared a brief with additional information about this plan.