CGA NEWS
(6-23-14)
To: CGA
From: A۰P۰L۰U Congressional and Governmental Affairs Staff
The FY15 appropriations “minibus” which includes Commerce, Justice Science (CJS); Transportation, Housing and Urban Development; and Agriculture was pulled from the Senate floor on June 19 after the Senate leaders failed to reach an agreement on an amendment process. The future of the legislation is not yet known.
Should the Senate resume consideration of the “minibus”, we know that Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) plans to offer an amendment, attached, targeting political science research at the NSF. This amendment, which he had previously introduced in March 2013 during consideration of the FY13 Continuing Resolution, would suspend political science research at the NSF unless it is demonstrated as “promoting national security or the economic interests of the United States.”
Floor Activities
The Senate reconvenes at 2 p.m. and is in a period of morning business until 5:30 p.m. At that time, they are expected to hold four confirmation votes.
The House reconvenes at 12 p.m., and is expected to consider measures under suspension of the rules. Roll call votes are postponed until 6:30 p.m.
Committee Activities
Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee
Financial and Contracting Oversight Subcommittee Panel Discussion: “Campus Sexual Assault: The Administrative Process and the Criminal Justice System”
Participants: Darcie Folsom, Director of Sexual Violence Prevention and Advocacy, Connecticut College; David Kurtz, Chief of Police, Durham Police Department; Susan Murphy, Vice President, Student and Academic Services, Cornell University; Mary Opperman, Vice President, Human Resources and Safety Services, and Co-chair, Cornell University Council on Sexual Violence Prevention; Kathy Zoner, Chief of Police, Cornell University
2:30 p.m., 106 Dirksen
Senate Finance Committee
Full Committee Hearing: “Less Student Debt from the Start: What Role Should the Tax System Play?”
Witnesses: Mark Mazur, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Tax Policy; Jayne Caflin Fonash, Director of School Counseling, Loudon Academy of Science; Scott Hodge, President, Tax Foundation; Amber Lee, Graduate, Willamette High School; Dean Zerbe, National Managing Director, Alliantgroup
10 a.m., 215 Dirksen
House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Conference Committee
Presiding: Senate Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and House Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Jeff Miller (R-FL)
2 p.m., SVC 212-10
House Appropriations Committee
Full Committee Markup: FY15 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations bill
10 a.m., 2359 Rayburn
Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee
Economic Policy Subcommittee Hearing: Recent Graduates and the Economy
Witnesses: Emma Kallaway, Executive Director, Oregon Student Association; Rory O’Sullivan, Deputy Director, Young Invincibles; Heidi Shierholz, Economist, Economic Policy Institute; Keith Hall, Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center at George Mason University
2:30 p.m., 538 Dirksen
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
Full Committee Hearing: “Sexual Assault on Campus: Working to Ensure Student Safety”
10 a.m., 430 Dirksen