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Category: On the Hill

House Sends FY14 Omnibus Bill to Senate

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Yesterday the House approved the $1.1 trillion FY14 omnibus spending bill that remains true to the intent of December’s budget agreement and sets a new tone for the FY15 appropriations cycle. 

Adopted by 359-67, the strong bipartisan support in the House should help build momentum next in the Senate where lawmakers are racing against a clock that requires final action by Saturday when the short-term continuing resolution expires. Senate leadership is hoping for an expedited process and vote on Friday but the GOP could refuse and push the final vote to Saturday.

The Office of Federal Relations is drafting a comprehensive analysis of the FY14 omnibus and will release that information tomorrow. And with final passage, we will shortly complete our FY15 federal agenda. More to come on that in the coming weeks.

OSTP Now Accepting Intern Applications

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The Office of Science and Technology Policy is currently accepting applications for its Summer 2014 Internship Program.  The application deadline is 11:59pm Friday, March 7.  Students who are U.S. citizens and who will be actively enrolled during the 2014 academic year are welcome to apply.

More information and application instructions are available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/about/student/.

About OSTP.  The Office of Science and Technology Policy advises the President on the effects of science and technology on domestic and international affairs. The office serves as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans and programs of the Federal Government.

 About the Internship Program.  Interns are accepted for one of three annual terms (Spring, Summer, or Fall), which each last no more than 90 days. While these positions are without compensation, the assignments provide educational enrichment, practical work experience, and network opportunities with other individuals in the science and technology policy arena.

For questions, please contact Rebecca Grimm rgrimm@ostp.eop.gov.

 

Rep George Miller Announces Retirement

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Yet another Congressional leader of Higher Education announced his retirement today. Rep. George Miller announced he was retiring after four decades of serving his Oakland, CA district. The right-hand of Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Miller currently serves as the House Education and Labor Ranking Member and has served at that committee’s Chairman as well.

Miller’s retirement opens up internal politics on who will be the next Democrat to lead the Education and Labor Committee. Rep Steve Rothman is the next senior Democrat on the committee.

Finally, due to House Republican term limits, Chairman Kline will need a waiver in the next Congress to remain Chair (assuming the RS keep the majority).  If not, the next Republican leader of the committee could be Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC).

Senate Gives Final Approval to Federal Budget Deal

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The Senate this afternoon voted 64-36 to give final approval to the federal budget agreement reached by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI). The House passed the measure last Thursday on a 332-94 bipartisan vote.

The budget sets spending levels at just above $1 trillion for FY2014 and FY2015 and includes $63 million in sequestration relief over the next two years which is directed to be split evenly between defense and non-defense discretionary programs. It is estimated that the agreement will reduce the deficit by $23 billion and all new spending is offset in other areas of the budget. The legislation also includes a 3 month extension of the doc-fix.

Congressional appropriators and their staff will now work through the next few weeks to draft spending bills with the goal of getting them passed through both chambers by the January 15th deadline, which is when the current Continuing Resolution expires.