CGA NEWS
(3-20-13)
To: CGA
From: A۰P۰L۰U Congressional and Governmental Affairs
During the floor debate this afternoon on the bill to fund the remainder of FY2013, the Senate adopted by voice vote two amendments of great interest to the academic community.
The first was an amendment offered by Tom Coburn (R-OK) and John McCain (R-AZ) related to political science research supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) (see CGA Action Alert (3-20-13)). It appears that Coburn and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) were able to reach an understanding about the amendment, in modified form, after which Chairman Mikulski asked for a voice vote.
The second amendment that was agreed to by voice vote was the measure related to military tuition assistance (TA) offered by James Inhofe (R-OK) and Kay Hagan (D-NC) (See CGA Action Alert (3-20-13 #2). No Senators spoke in opposition to the amendment. Attached is a copy of the text of the modified amendment that was ultimately adopted.
Just before 5 PM EDT, the Senate adopted the underlying bill, H.R. 933, by a vote of 73 to 26. Some reliable reports indicate the House will likely agree to the Senate version before the start of a two-week recess at the end of this week. The current FY2013 Continuing Resolution ends on March 27.
Earlier today, the Department of Energy (DOE) sent to members of the DOE community an invitation to its FY2014 budget briefing, scheduled for Monday, April 8. Individuals interested in attending the briefing are asked RSVP to the agency by Monday, April 1. A copy of the invitation is attached for use by the CGA.
The A۰P۰L۰U staff has not yet received word of other agency briefings, but will, as usual, compile a list of the agency briefings as details become available and share the document with the CGA.
In response to the FY2014 budget resolution put forward by the House Budget Committee last week, the higher education community sent a letter to the entire House of Representatives expressing serious reservations about the provisions related to both student financial aid and scientific research. A copy of the letter is attached.