Lawmakers Move Forward on Tax Reform
BU IN DC
President Robert A. Brown attended the fall membership meeting of the Association of American Universities between October 22 and 24.
College of Engineering Dean Ken Lutchen participated in the National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Engineering Advisory Committee meeting, of which he is a member, on October 25 and 26.
Carmela Abraham of the School of Medicine spoke at two Congressional briefings about companies with their origins in federally-funded research on October 25.
David Center of the School of Medicine attended a meeting of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program on October 26.
LAWMAKERS MOVE FORWARD ON TAX REFORM
Following the approval of a budget resolution (H. Con. Res. 71) by both chambers of Congress, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) announced that he plans to unveil a major tax bill next week. Universities will be closely watching the measure to see whether it includes proposed changes to the current tax incentives for charitable giving or college affordability. Although the budget resolution includes “reconciliation instructions” that will allow Congress to more easily pass a tax bill without needing a super-majority vote in the Senate, it is unclear whether ambitious plans by Republican leadership to have a final tax measure on the President’s desk this year will be feasible.
SUBCOMMITTEE FOCUSES ON ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS
On Tuesday, a subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee held a hearing to examine the role of facilities and administrative (F&A) costs in supporting research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The panel’s four witnesses emphasized that the partnership between NIH and research institutions is vital to American leadership in medical innovation, and a reduction in federal support would make it impossible for most universities to continue their research. Subcommittee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) reiterated his concern about the Trump Administration proposal to cap F&A reimbursement, which was soundly rejected by Congress earlier this year. Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) was the lone voice of disagreement, suggesting F&A dollars could instead be used to fund the work of early-career investigators.
BUZZ BITS…
- Dr. Norman “Ned” Sharpless was sworn in as the new director of the National Cancer Institute at NIH on October 18. Dr. Douglas Lowy had served as acting director since 2015.
- President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Kenneth Marcus as assistant secretary for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Education. If confirmed by the Senate, Marcus would oversee colleges’ activities regarding racial and gender equity.
- Almost 800 colleges and universities, including BU, urged leaders in Congress to find a permanent legislative solution for students in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
- The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee examined free speech on college campuses in a hearing on Thursday.