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News and updates

Research Community Reiterates Call for At Least $26 Billion for Research

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In an updated letter to Congressional leadership, associations representing a swath of research institutions reiterated their call to invest at least $26 billion in scientific research in future COVID-19 response bills.  Unlike previous communications, this letter calls out specific funding levels for a number of individual agencies, including:

  • $3 billion for NSF
  • $3 billion for DOD
  • $10 billion for NSF
  • $5 billion for DOE
  • $2 billion for NASA

The letter also calls for additional funds for agencies which have research budgets greater than $100 million, including NOAA and the Institute for Education Science.

The letter is available here.

What We’re Reading this Week (May 18th-22nd, 2020)

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Below is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team read this week.

COVID-19: The US Department of Health and Human Services invested $1 billion in an Oxford University COVID vaccine, to be mass-produced by AstraZeneca. More states relax restrictions as concerns over PPE and rising death tolls continue. Live updates at CNN.

Pakistan Airliner: A Pakistan International Airlines plane crashed into a residential area in Karachi on Friday killing 97 people. The black box has just been recovered. More at Al Jazeera.

Calls for PM Adviser to Step Down: Many in the UK have called for Dominic Cummings, Senior Adviser to PM Boris Johnson, to resign after he made a 260 mile trip to be with relatives as his wife developed COVID symptoms. More at BBC.

NYSE: The trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange will reopen on Tuesday after an 8 week closure due to COVID. PPE and distancing guidelines will be in place, and only 25% of traders will be on the floor. More at CBS.

Another COVID Supplemental Passes in House

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Today the US House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 6800 (HEROES Act), a $3 trillion supplemental appropriations bill which includes a wide range of provisions ranging from healthcare to agriculture and nutrition. The legislation now moves to the Senate, although no vote has been scheduled yet.

The House also voted on a resolution to approve remote committee work, potentially allowing for FY21 appropriations to proceed remotely. The House is expected to meet on May 27th and 28th to vote on a FISA Re-authorization and discuss COVID related business.

What We’re Reading this Week (May 11th-15th, 2020)

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Below is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team read this week.

COVID-19: Lebanon and other countries report an uptick in cases after easing restrictions, some European students return to school, and President Trump appoints people to lead US vaccine effort. Live updates at CNN.

India: Cyclone Amphan is forming over the Bay of Bengal and is expected to make landfall in the next few days. Live updates at Times of India.

Yellowstone: A woman entered Yellowstone National Park and fell into a hot spring while taking pictures this week. The park remains closed due to stay-home orders. She was taken to a hospital in Idaho to be treated for burns. Full story at NBC.

Afghanistan: Sixteen people, including two newborns, were killed by gunmen at a Doctors Without Borders maternity ward in Kabul. The attack has prompted the Afghan government to resume “offensive operations” against the Taliban, putting a potential peace deal in jepoardy. More at Washington Post. 

GAO Recommends Improved Export Control Guidance for Universities

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A report published May 12th from the US Government Accountability Office recommends the US Departments of State and Commerce work together to improve export control guidance to colleges and universities. The report notes that, among schools visited for the report, security practices generally comply with US Government guidance. However, many schools have requested more detailed guidance specific to academia. The full report is available here.