AASCU Update

To:        AASCU Presidents, Chancellors and Government Relations staff

From:    Ed Elmendorf, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Policy Analysis
             Makese Motley, Assistant Director of Federal Relations and Policy Analysis
             Barmak Nassirian, Director of Federal Policy Analysis

Re:       Immigration Op-Ed/Budget Deal

Date:     12/17/2013


Immigration Reform

AASCU expects in the early part of the New Year for there to be a coordinated campaign among several organizations to push for a vote on comprehensive immigration reform. For this push, AASCU has been asked to identify Presidents that would be willing to do an op-ed piece on the importance of immigration reform. An immigration deal could have significant repercussions for higher education in International Education and STEM. In addition, many AASCU students would directly benefit from provisions related to the DREAM Act, HI-B visas, and green cards.  If you are interested in doing an op-ed please contact Makese Motley, Assistant Director of Federal Relations at motleym@aascu.org or via phone 202-478-4652. 


Budget Deal

Later this week the Senate is expected to take up the budget agreement brokered by Senator Patty Murray of Washington and Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. AASCU supports this agreement (view AASCU advisory). It suspends part of the sequester, avoids a government shutdown and makes no changes to Pell Grants. We are told that there are several key Senators who are wavering and may vote against the agreement thus putting passage in jeopardy. If you have a relationship with any of these members please reach to them and their staff and urge them vote for the budget agreement.


Undecided Senators

John McCain (R-AZ)

Susan Collins (R-ME)

Rob Portman (R-OH)

Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)

Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)

Roy Blunt (R-MO)

Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

John Hoeven (R-ND)

Mark Kirk (R-IL)

John Bozeman (R-AR)

Richard Shelby (R-AL)

Dan Coats (R-IN)

Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)