U.S. Legislation on China to be Delayed, Lawmakers Say
A U.S. legislative proposal to allocate $112 billion for basic and advanced technology research and science in the face of rising competitive pressure from China will be delayed by at least two weeks, U.S. Senate Republicans and staffers said Monday. The bipartisan "Endless Frontier" measure was scheduled to be debated by the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday, having been formally introduced on April 21. But with more than 230 amendments filed for consideration, Senate Republicans said the markup would not go forward until after a one-week Senate recess than ends May 10. The measure, sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Young and others, would also authorize another $10 billion to designate at least 10 regional technology hubs and create a supply chain crisis response program to address issues like the shortfall in semiconductor chips harming auto production. ( Reuters - Apr. 26, 2021)
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Congressional Audience Hopes to Hear from Biden on China Strategy
Much of the coverage in advance of President Joe Biden's first address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night has been on the speech’s domestic policy components. When it comes to foreign policy, however, lawmakers have diverse interests, so everyone will have some country or region that they would like to see the president mention Wednesday. But there is one recurring theme in recent conversations with lawmakers. They want to hear Biden talk about China. Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Menendez, D-N.J., was among those telling CQ Roll Call that he hopes the president will focus attention on the rival nation. Last week, Menendez’s committee advanced a sweeping China competition bill, a measure that could prove to be a historic step. On a parallel track, Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer has teamed with Indiana GOP Sen. Todd Young and a broad, bipartisan coalition to reintroduce a legislative package focused on bolstering U.S. investments in scientific research and innovation, seeking a competitive edge over China’s rush to establish global technological dominance. ( Roll Call - Apr. 27, 2021)
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NSF, NASA Sign Collaborative Agreement to Expand Activities for Broadening Participation in Engineering
The U.S. National Science Foundation and NASA have signed a memorandum of understanding establishing the framework for collaborative efforts to broaden participation in engineering. The collaboration will involve NASA’s Minority University Research and Education program, which engages underrepresented populations through a wide variety of initiatives, and NSF’s Broadening Participation in Engineering and NSF INCLUDES programs. NSF INCLUDES supports national infrastructure for collaborations that broaden participation in STEM fields for historically underrepresented groups. NSF’s Broadening Participation in Engineering program supports research to develop a diverse, inclusive and well-prepared engineering workforce . . . . [T]he agreement also provides more flexibility to support research, education, and workforce development proposals of mutual interest to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in engineering. ( National Science Foundation - Apr. 26, 2021)
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AAMC, Higher Ed Groups Advocate for Elimination of Student Loan Origination Fees
On April 19, the AAMC joined 10 higher education groups, led by the AccessLex Institute, in letters to congressional leadership and the White House Domestic Policy Council, urging the inclusion of the Student Loan Tax Elimination Act (S. 847) in the forthcoming American Families Plan. The bipartisan Student Loan Tax Elimination Act — which was introduced by Sens. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) — would eliminate origination fees on all federal student loans disbursed on or after March 27, 2020. The letters noted, “Origination fees reduce the amount of loan dollars disbursed to borrowers by a certain percentage (1 percent for Direct Stafford Loans and 4 percent for Direct PLUS Loans). This tax on students creates confusion and increases costs for borrowers, who are responsible for repaying the withheld amount, plus the interest that accrues on that amount.” ( Association of American Medical Colleges - Apr. 23, 2021)
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Biden Faces Mounting Pressure on Forgiving Student Loan Debt
Progressive groups are vowing to raise the heat on President Biden to cancel student debt, a priority issue for a number of Democratic lawmakers including Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.). It’s an issue that Biden has failed to deliver on so far, say the groups. Biden has shot down calls to immediately cancel up to $50,000 in student loans and instead supports $10,000 in debt forgiveness. Nearly one hundred days into a term that has generally been applauded by progressives, the groups say Biden needs to make student debt forgiveness a bigger priority in the next 100 days. Schumer has pushed Biden on the issue and argues that it’s harder to tackle student debt through legislation than it is for Biden to act through executive order. Biden has punted to Congress, calling for lawmakers to present legislation on the issue. ( The Hill - Apr. 27, 2021)
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No Change in Guidance on Foreign Students and Online Learning
The federal Student and Exchange Visitor Program announced Monday that is extending its current guidance on online learning and international students for the 2021-22 academic year. The guidance, which cites pandemic-related public health concerns, allows international students continued flexibility to enroll in online classes by suspending a rule that typically limits them to counting just one online class per term toward the requirement that they maintain a full-time course of study. The guidance also prohibits new international students who were not enrolled as of March 9, 2020, from coming to the U.S. if they plan to enroll in a fully online course of study. New students can come to the U.S. to take hybrid programs that include an in-person learning component, however. ( Inside Higher Ed - Apr. 27, 2021)
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