House Narrowly Passes Science Bill
HOUSE NARROWLY PASSES SCIENCE BILL
The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act (H.R. 1806) on Wednesday by a vote of 217 to 205. The bill would renew programs at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science, but proposes sharp reductions to social science and environmental research. Democrats and nearly two dozen Republicans voted against the measure, which was opposed by the Association of American Universities, the Consortium of Social Science Associations, and other science advocates. In contrast, the U.S. Senate began its work to reauthorize the COMPETES bill on Wednesday with the bipartisan introduction of legislation to increase basic science programs at DOE by 4% percent per year for five years.
HOUSE COMMITTEE PROPOSES NIH FUNDING BOOST
The House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously passed the 21st Century Cures Act (H.R. 6) on Thursday, advancing a bipartisan bill that aims to accelerate the research and development of biomedical innovations. The measure would create a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Innovation fund that adds $10 billion to the agency’s budget by 2020 and would require an NIH-wide strategic plan, among other provisions. The bill is expected to move quickly through the full House of Representatives, and leaders in the Senate are currently drafting a companion measure. Find out more
SENATE HOLDS HEARING ON HIGHER ED “RISK SHARING”
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing Wednesday exploring whether colleges should pay a financial penalty if a significant number of their former students default on federal student loans. The witnesses supported the concept of institutional risk sharing, but noted other strategies, such as permitting universities to limit borrowing amounts, should also be considered to help curb default rates. As the Committee moves toward introducing legislation to renew the Higher Education Act this year, it will focus on accountability, accreditation, affordability, and campus safety. Watch the hearing
A NOTE TO OUR READERS
With Congress headed home for the Memorial Day District Work Week, Beltway BUzz will not publish next Friday. BU Federal Relations wishes you a good holiday!