Biden Doubles the Size of the President’s Science and Technology Council
Highlighting a historic level of diversity, White House officials released the names of 30 individuals from industry and academia who will advise the president on science and technology issues. “The members represent the most diverse [Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology] in U.S. history,” according to a White House announcement Wednesday. “This PCAST reflects the president’s commitment to build an administration that truly looks like America: For the first time ever, women make up half of PCAST, and people of color and immigrants make up more than one-third of PCAST.” A Sept. 13 executive order renewing the council says it shall be composed of no more than 32 members; Trump’s PCAST allowed room for 16. The new council “include[s] experts in astrophysics and agriculture, biochemistry and computer engineering, ecology and entrepreneurship, immunology and nanotechnology, neuroscience and national security, social science and cybersecurity, and more,” the White House release said. ( Nextgov - Sept. 22, 2021)
***See also, the following related news item:
- White House Unveils ‘Most Diverse’ Science Advisory Panel. What Does That Mean? - Science Magazine - Sept. 23, 2021
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House Passes $768B Defense Bill, Super-sizing Biden's Pentagon Plans
The House on Thursday easily passed a $768 billion defense policy bill that endorses a major budget boost, dealing the biggest blow yet to President Joe Biden's Pentagon spending plans. Lawmakers approved the National Defense Authorization Act in a 316-113 vote with broad support from Democrats and Republicans as momentum builds on Capitol Hill to add upwards of $25 billion to Biden's defense proposal. The legislation, which authorizes spending levels and sets Pentagon policy, would require women to register for a military draft. It also aims to extract information from the Biden administration on the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and launch a wide-ranging review of the two-decade war. In a bipartisan blowout, 181 Democrats teamed with 135 Republicans to push the bill across the finish line. The Senate has not yet passed its own version of the defense bill. ( Politico - Sept. 23, 2021)
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Groups Ask Senate to Repeal Pell Grant Taxability
Nineteen higher education organizations and associations are urging senators to preserve a provision in the Build Back Better Act that would repeal the taxability of Pell Grants once the upper chamber begins its work on the budget reconciliation bill. Currently, the portion of Pell Grants spent on nontuition expenses is taxable, adding to the cost of attendance for low-income students, the groups wrote in a letter to Senate Finance Committee chair Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, and ranking member Mike Crapo, a Republican from Idaho. The tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee included the repeal in its portion of the budget reconciliation bill last week. ( Inside Higher Ed - Sept. 24, 2021)
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James Kvaal as Under Secretary: What to Expect
After months since his nomination, James Kvaal recently was confirmed as U.S. Under Secretary of Education, a position key to realizing the Biden administration’s promised postsecondary education reforms. “Under Secretary Kvaal’s confirmation is long overdue and very welcome,” said Dr. Terry Hartle, senior vice president of government relations and public affairs at the American Council on Education, a nonprofit higher education association with members from about 1,700 institutions across the country. “This is the single most important policy position in the federal government for dealing with issues related to students, colleges, and universities.” The Biden administration’s higher education agenda, Hartle added, is fairly comprehensive, including addressing student loan repayment, making community colleges free, expanding the Pell Grant among low-income students, and giving more money to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions. ( Diverse: Issues In Higher Education - Sept. 22, 2021)
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FY 22 APPROPRIATIONS NEWS
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White House Tells U.S. Agencies to Get Ready for First Government Shutdown of Pandemic
The White House budget office notified federal agencies on Thursday to begin preparations for the first shutdown of the U.S. government since the coronavirus pandemic began, as lawmakers on Capitol Hill struggle to reach a funding agreement. Administration officials stress the request is in line with traditional procedures seven days ahead of a shutdown and not a commentary on the likelihood—or lack thereof—a congressional deal. Both Democrats and Republicans have made clear they intend to fund the government before its funding expires on Sept. 30, but time is running out and lawmakers are aiming to resolve an enormous set of tasks in a matter of weeks. House Democrats earlier this week approved a measure to fund the government, suspend the debt ceiling and approve emergency aid such as disaster relief. But that plan is expected to die in the Senate amid GOP refusal to support Democratic attempts to lift the debt ceiling. ( The Washington Post - Sept. 23, 2021)
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Schumer Sets Monday Showdown on Debt Ceiling-government Funding Bill
The Senate will vote on Monday on whether to take up a House-passed bill to avoid a government shutdown and suspend the nation's borrowing limit. The vote, set up by Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Thursday night, tees up a high-stakes showdown with global economic consequences if lawmakers aren't able to figure out a path forward. The House-passed bill will need 60 votes to advance in the Senate and will fall short. Democrats would need the votes of at least 10 GOP senators but no GOP senator has committed to supporting the measure. Congress has until the end of the month to avoid a government shutdown. The House-passed bill would fund the government through Dec. 3. When Congress will need to raise or suspend the country's debt ceiling to avert a historic default is less clear, but Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said it should be prepared to do so in October. ( The Hill - Sept. 23, 2021)
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