Louisiana Bans the Box – Louisiana’s governor signed the state’s own ban-the-box law earlier on Friday, this time prohibiting state higher-education institutions from inquiring about a potential student’s criminal history during the application process. Read more from Inside Higher Ed.
When You Need a Burger — When you really need a burger when you’re overseas, you might be in luck. Read more here.
As promised, the Senate Republican leadership released earlier today the text of the healthcare legislation that was being worked on by a small group of Republican Senators. The 142-page bill has a number of provisions of importance to the University of Washington and other institutions of higher education, including those related to possible changes to Medicaid.
This bill is an attempt by Senate Republicans to craft its own legislation in response to the House’s version of a bill to “repeal-and-replace” Obamacare. At this point in time, the future of the measure remains uncertain as a number of Republican Senators have expressed their opposition to it in its current form.
The text of the measure is available here.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing this morning on the issue of “free speech” on college campuses. The Judiciary Committee is one of three Senate committees– with Judiciary and the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committees being the other two– planning to hold hearings on the issue.
More information about the hearing, including a link to the video, is available here.
The Senate Armed Services Committee is scheduled to hold this morning its confirmation hearing on the nomination of Patrick Shanahan, Chairman of the University of Washington Board of Regents, for the position of Deputy Secretary of Defense. Information about the hearing is available here.
Here’s a selection of article the Office of Federal Relations is reading this week.
No More “Manspreading”— The public transportation system in the Spanish capital of Madrid is trying to stop “manspreading.” Read more here.
More Debt, Lower Wages – Women and minorities are more likely to borrow to pay for their college degrees, yet their lower lifetime pay means many will end up struggling to buy homes and sock away money. Read more from CBS.
“Winning So Much” — At the Australian equivalent of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull channels President Trump.
Trump Won’t Alter Status of DREAMers – President Donald Trump’s administration has issued its most explicit promise to date that so-called Dreamers can keep their permission to work legally in the U.S. “No work permits will be terminated prior to their current expiration dates,” the Department of Homeland Security said in guidance posted on its website Thursday night. Read more over at Politico.
Play Ball! – A particularly meaningful “God Bless America” opened up the 56th annual Congressional Baseball Game as members of both the Republican and Democratic teams stood side-by-side — patriotically bipartisan — in center field. Read more about the game on Roll Call.
Melania Moves to Washington – “Looking forward to the memories we’ll make in our new home!” the first lady tweeted. Read more over at the Washington Post.