Last Tuesday, President Biden signed into law H.R. 5376, the Inflation Reduction Act. Though smaller than the original plans for a reconciliation package, both the Biden Administration and Congressional Democrats are touting the measure as a major accomplishment.
News and updates
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education Confirmed
Late last week, the Senate confirmed Nasser Paydar as Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education. He is the chancellor emeritus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and executive vice president at Indiana University.
A statement about his confirmation from Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona is available here.
Senate Clears Reconciliation Package; House to Take It Up Friday
After a marathon series of votes on amendments over the weekend, the Senate cleared by a vote of 51-50 a version of the reconciliation budget package. With all 50 Democrats supporting the measure and all 50 Republicans voting against it, Vice President Harris cast the tie-breaking vote. Because the measure isa reconciliation bill, which provided it procedural protections, it could move forward in the Senate with a simple majority vote.
The House is currently scheduled to take it up on Friday.
We will provide further details about the bill in the near future.
Biden Signs CHIPS and Science Act
At a ceremony earlier today, President Biden signed into law the CHIPS and Science Act.
Additional background documents are available here.
House Clears “CHIPS Plus” for Presidential Signature
The House approved earlier this afternoon the “CHIPS Plus” legislation by a vote of 243 to 187, with one Member voting “Present”. The House passage now sends the bill to the White House for the President’s signature.