Senate Passes Bill Funding Technology Research Through NSF
The Senate passed bipartisan legislation Tuesday that would authorize billions of dollars in funding for technology research in the United States, much of which would be available for institutions of higher education. If the U.S. Innovation and Competitiveness Act—intended to help the U.S. better compete with China —passes the House as is, the National Science Foundation would receive $81 billion over five years, beginning in fiscal year 2022. The bill is largely centered around “key technology focus areas,” which include artificial intelligence, advanced computing, robotics and automation, natural disaster prevention or mitigation, biotechnology and data storage and management. ( Inside Higher Ed - June 9, 2021)
***See also, the following related news items:
- Senate Passes Sweeping Bill to Help U.S. Compete With China - Bloomberg - June 9, 2021
- Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Bill to Bolster Competitiveness With China - The New York Times - June 8, 2021
- China Rips Senate-approved Bill to Improve US Competitiveness - The Hill - June 9, 2021
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Senate China Bill Heads for Next Steep Climb in House
The Senate on Tuesday passed a massive bipartisan bill aimed at countering China’s economic and geopolitical rise—though it faces another uphill climb on the other side of the Capitol, where the House is already contending with challenges on the issue. But the fate of the Senate’s rare cross-aisle collaboration is uncertain in the House, where Democrats are advancing several of their own bills to bolster U.S. competitiveness in science and manufacturing as well as to respond to Beijing’s human-rights abuses. The House is expected to take up those bills—which likely would be taken to the floor in pieces rather than as one package—in late June or July, according to a Democratic leadership aide. The next steps for the China legislation aren’t clear, however: Party leaders haven’t yet decided whether they’ll try to hash out the House and Senate differences through a conference committee, which would typically be the path to getting such a sprawling bill signed into law. ( Politico - June 8, 2021)
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Senate Passes NASA Authorization Act
The Senate approved June 8 a wide-ranging competitiveness bill that includes a NASA authorization act with a controversial provision about competition in the Human Landing System program. By a 68-32 margin, the Senate passed S. 1260, The U.S. Innovation and Competitiveness Act. The bill, originally called the Endless Frontier Act, was primarily designed to bolster research and development activities, with an eye toward competing with China. It authorizes funding increases for DARPA and the National Science Foundation, and establishes a new technology directorate at the NSF. During its markup May 12, the Senate Commerce Committee approved an amendment that added space-related provisions to the bill. ( SpaceNews - June 9, 2021)
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Thoughts from the Public on Title IX
The Department of Education began five days of public hearings Monday, during which it expects to hear from 600 individuals about how it can improve Title IX enforcement, following a directive from President Biden to re-examine the controversial regulations put in place by the Trump administration. As of last Friday, over 700 people had registered to comment for 600 confirmed slots in virtual hearings, during which the department will not respond to what is said. The department had also received 15,000 written comments, which will continue to be accepted throughout the duration of the hearings. Commenters covered a range of issues related to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 —from the need for Title IX to address sexual violence prevention to the debate over transgender athletes competing on sports teams —on the first day, with both supporters and opposers of the regulations released last May under former secretary Betsy DeVos represented among the speakers. ( Inside Higher Ed - June 8, 2021)
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