The Office of Federal Relations will host a virtual town hall for the campus community on Thursday, March 24th from 12pm-1pm PT. Our staff will provide an update on the federal budget, infrastructure and competitiveness bills, and preview the UW’s 2022 federal agenda. This will be followed by an opportunity for Q&A. Register here (NetID restricted).
News and updates
Shelly Lowe Confirmed as NEH Chair
Yesterday the Senate confirmed Shelly Lowe, of Arizona, to be the Chairperson of the National Endowment of the Humanities for a four year term. President Biden is expected to make the appointment in the coming days and she will begin her term shortly after. Ms. Lowe previously served in positions at the University of Arizona and Yale University, and is currently completing her doctorate in higher education. She grew up in Arizona and is a member of the Navajo Nation.
You can read her statement on being confirmed here.
Guidebook to Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
The White House has released a guidebook for state, local, territorial, and tribal governments to navigate the bipartisan infrastructure law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) which was signed into law in November 2021. The guidebook is intended to serve as a “one stop shop” on the law and contains all the most up-to-date information. The law contains numerous provisions and $1.2 trillion in spending, over half of which is dedicated to improving hard infrastructure such as roads, ports, and bridges.
A press statement is available here.
SCOTUS Justice Breyer to Step Down
Stephen Breyer, the most senior of the three liberal justices on the US Supreme Court, announced he will retire. President Biden is expected to move quickly to fill the vacancy given the 50-50 balance of the Senate.
Read more here.
House Releases America COMPETES Act of 2022
Today, House leadership revealed the America COMPETES Act of 2022 (H.R. 4521). Much like the bipartisan United States Innovation and Competition Act (S. 1260), which passed in the Senate last summer, the bill authorizes strategic investments in advanced scientific research at NSF and the Department of Energy, semiconductor chip manufacturing, supply chain and natural resource issues, and key diplomatic efforts.
Of particular relevance:
- $52B for the CHIPS for America Act.
- Comprehensive reauthorization of the Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
- Reauthorizes the entire National Science Foundation and establishes a new Directorate for Science and Engineering Solutions (SES).
- Establishes a National Engineering Biology Research and Development Initiative.
- Enhances outreach and access to STEM education at all levels.
- Reauthorizes Title VI International Education programs.
A factsheet is available here and a section-by-section summary is available here.