The DC Digest

Duke Government Relations

Duke in DC's Top News Today:

House Passes First Funding Bill Under New Speaker
ED Releases Final Rule on College Accountability and Student Consumer Protections
USCIS Proposes Regs to Modernize H1-B Visa Requirements
Mike Johnson (R-LA) Next Speaker of the House
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The Highlights 📰

Budget & Appropriations

The latest coverage on Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations that are relevant to Duke.

Duke Government Relations' primer on the federal appropriations process.

HOUSE GOP SELECTS MIKE JOHNSON AS NEXT SPEAKER

After three weeks operating without a Speaker, House Republications elected Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) to fill the role, the fourth in line to get the nomination this Congress. Johnson received all 220 Republican votes, defeating Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).

At Last

HOUSE PASSES FIRST FUNDING BILL UNDER NEW SPEAKER

House Republicans on Thursday passed the FY24 Energy and Water appropriations bill, the first funding bill approved on the floor since the House ousted Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from the speakership three weeks ago and Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) was elected to fill the role. The bill cuts more than $5 billion in spending that was passed as part of Democrats’ signature climate, tax and health care bill—which was approved without GOP support last year. The White House issued a veto threat earlier this month due to these cuts and other policy provisions.

Of interest to the Duke community, the bill recommends $8.1 billion for the Department of Energy Office of Science and $470 million for the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E), which is the same level provided in FY 23.

Back to Work?

131 ORGANIZATIONS CALL ON CONGRESS TO FULLY FUND THE CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED MEDICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM

Duke University is one of 131 organizations cosigning a letter to Congress in hopes of seeing the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program fully funded through the enactment of the FY24 Defense Appropriations Act. The letter states that failure to pass funding, or even a delay of such passage, could have overwhelmingly negative implications for millions of Americans' healthcare, as well as systemic impacts on the way the DoD considers grants for research that would better the health of such citizens.

Defending Defense Funding

Student Aid, Institutional Support and Taxes

The latest updates regarding legislation and regulatory actions related to student aid, higher education institutional support, taxes and more.

NASFAA Student Aid Reference Desk

DEPT. OF ED. RELEASES FINAL RULES ON COLLEGE ACCOUNTABILITY AND CONSUMER PROTECTIONS FOR STUDENTS

According to a brief summary provided by AAU, "The final rules will allow the ED to step in for certain cases where institutions give warning signs of closure; require institutions to demonstrate that they are capable of administering Title IV programs; allow the ED to place conditions in written agreements it has with colleges to participate in federal student aid programs; and establish clearer processes for students without a high school diploma or equivalent to access federal aid." The rules go into effect July 1, 2024.

Protecting Students

Immigration

The latest updates on legislation and regulatory actions related to immigration that are relevant to Duke.

USCIS PROPOSES REGULATIONS TO MODERNIZE H1-B VISA REQUIREMENTS

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published a notice of proposed rulemaking to “modernize the H-1B specialty occupation worker program by streamlining eligibility requirements, improving program efficiency, providing greater benefits and flexibilities for employers and workers, and strengthening integrity measures.” Among the proposed changes, the Department of Homeland Security plans to automatically extend the duration of F-1 visa status to avoid disruptions for students adjusting to H-1B status.

A Modern Era

Additional Federal Relations Items of Interest to Duke

COUNCIL OF GRADUATE SCHOOLS RELEASES REPORT ON GRAD ENROLLMENT AND DEGREES

The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), of which Duke is a member, released its latest report on the state of graduate enrollment and degrees at institutions of higher education in the United States. The report found that, while graduate school applications went up in fall 2022 compared to the previous year, overall enrollments in graduate school declined by 4.7%. CGS noted that the decline in domestic enrollment could be a result of students taking advantage of a tight labor market “to pursue short-term income rather than graduate education.”

Grads Who Grad

TWO DUKE PROFESSORS TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESSIONAL SUBCOMMITTEES.

Two Duke professors testified before Congressional subcommittees this week, Dr. Jimmie Lenz of the Pratt School for Engineering and Professor Steve Roady of the Nicholas School for the Environment and Duke School of Law.

Dr. Lenz was invited to speak by Representative Patrick McHenry (R-NC), Chair of the Financial Services Committee, before the subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion. The hearing was entitled, "Modernizing Financial Services Through Innovation and Competition."

Professor Roady served as a witness at hearing for the House Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. The hearing was on seven bills, including an amendment to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to "provide that artificially propagated animals shall be treated the same under that Act as naturally propagated animals," as well as the "Fishery Improvement to Streamline untimely regulatory Hurdles post Emergency Situation Act” or the “FISHES Act,” among other bills.

Testifying

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT FEDERAL ISSUES? SIGN UP FOR FEDERAL FORUMS

Have questions about federal issues impacting Duke? Duke's Office of Government Relations (OGR) hosts a weekly "Federal Forums" virtual office hours for members of the Duke community. Join us on Fridays at 10:00 AM to hear OGR staff give a quick rundown of the latest news out of DC of most relevance to Duke, answer questions, provide connections to resources and more! Register in advance to receive the Zoom link, and please include any issues you'd like to discuss.

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