Gilliam in DC; OSTP; Budget
PRESIDENT GILLIAM VISITS CAPITOL HILL
President Melissa Gilliam met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to discuss the importance of the partnership between the federal government and universities. In conversations with Congresswomen Jen Kiggans (R-VA, PAR ’93), Lois Frankel (D-FL, CAS ’70), and Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Gilliam touted the impact of federal investments in science and student aid at BU. She also shared her concerns about proposals to cut the National Institutes of Health budget and the recent layoffs of science agency staff. Gilliam continued to emphasize the government-university partnership during an evening reception attended by nearly 150 alumni, Congressional and federal agency staff, and BU Washington, DC Study Away interns.
SENATORS ASSESS WHITE HOUSE SCIENCE NOMINEE
On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a hearing to consider the nomination of Michael Kratsios to lead the White House Office of Science Technology Policy (OSTP). He described China as “our most formidable technological and scientific competitor” and explained that the “shape of future global order will be defined by whomever leads across AI, quantum, nuclear, and other critical and emerging technologies.” In response to Senators’ questions about the recent layoffs at science agencies, Kratsios said he thinks, “it’s entirely reasonable for a new president to be able to evaluate the team that he has on the field across his agencies and sort of make the necessary changes to ensure that he can achieve the goals that he campaigned on and won.” A vote to advance his nomination is expected early next month.
BUZZ BITS…
- On Thursday, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs held a confirmation hearing to consider Dr. Stephen Miran’s (CAS ’05) nomination as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors. Miran mentioned earning his bachelor’s degree in economics from BU during his opening statement. He served as an economic policy adviser in the Treasury Department during Trump’s first term.
- On Tuesday evening the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a budget resolution that instructs Congressional committees to cut $2 trillion from federal spending, including $330 billion from education activities. The bill’s passage is an early step in Congressional Republicans’ plans to pass an extension of the tax cuts enacted in 2017.
- Last week, U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley extended a temporary restraining order (TRO) blocking the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) proposed 15% cap on facilities and administrative costs. Kelley had issued an initial TRO earlier this month in response to three lawsuits that had challenged the NIH’s actions.