Good afternoon,
The goal of this email is to provide a regular source of useful information to staff and faculty of the University of èapp System regarding the federal government and higher education. We have put together a list of news articles that will keep you informed of the actions taken by the executive, legislative, and judicial branch of government. These articles are meant to be informative and are not a reflection of the views or stance of the system regarding these issues.
If you would like more information regarding any of the stories we share, or if you have any suggestions, please feel free to contact Dusty Schnieders and/or Emily Lucas .
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Agriculture News
House Committee on Agriculture – May 17, 2024
House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15)
released discussion draft text of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of
2024 . An updated title-by-title summary can be found .
Defense News
Earlier this week, the House Armed Services Committee released its version of the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act. The committee has scheduled a markup on Wednesday, May 22, at 10:00 a.m. ET.
Capitol Hill News
Schumer proposes $32 billion annual spending under AI road map
Roll Call – May 15, 2024
Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and his artificial intelligence working group on Wednesday backed a for the federal government to spend at least $32 billion annually on non-defense related AI systems. Alongside the suggested spending, the Senate AI working group released a “” for the technology that outlines proposals for individual congressional committees to take up. The roadmap calls for:
- At least $32 billion in federal spending per year on non-defense AI innovation starting in FY26.
- Senate Appropriations Committee to prioritize funding for a cross-government AI research and development (R&D) effort and
- Funding the outstanding CHIPS and Science Act (P.L. 117-167) accounts not yet fully funded, particularly those related to AI.
- Relevant committees in the Senate to consider legislation to improve the U.S. immigration system for high-skilled STEM workers in support of national security and to foster advances in AI across the whole of society.
Higher Education News
Senator Tom Cotton – May 8, 2024
Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the , legislation that would overhaul workforce education. Funding from the bill—paid for in part by taxing wealthy private college endowments—would provide training vouchers to pay for education programs designed by employers.
Senator JD Vance – May 9, 2024
Senator JD Vance (R-OH) has introduced the to prohibit colleges and universities from receiving federal financial assistance if they fail to remove disruptive encampments from their campuses. Senator Vance’s legislation would require colleges to remove encampments from campus grounds within 7 days of teaching, research or other core institutional functions are impeded. Institutions that fail to comply would be rendered ineligible to receive federal financial assistance, including institutional aid and student aid such as Pell grants and federal loans, for five years.
Lee Introduces Bill Targeting Wealthy University Subsidies
Senator Mike Lee – May 2, 2024
Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the , a new bill to address the misuse of taxpayer dollars in higher education. The bill targets institutions that perpetuate administrative bloat and advance ideological agendas under the guise of education. Its introduction comes in response to the disturbing wave of violence and antisemitic rhetoric that has swept across college campuses.
Important Dates
Farm Bill Markup
Thursday, May 23, 2024:
- House Agriculture Committee will mark up the new farm bill next
NDAA Markup
These dates are subject to change, but below are the dates reported.
Wednesday, May 22, 2024:
- House Armed Services Committee (HASC) markup
Tuesday June 11, 2024 and and Friday, June 14, 2024:
- Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) markup
House Appropriations
Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) today released the markup schedule for Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations bills. This schedule is subject to change.
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
- Subcommittee Markup of the Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Bill
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
- Subcommittee Markup of the Fiscal Year 2025 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill.
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
- Subcommittee Markup of the Fiscal Year 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Bill.
Thursday, June 13, 2024
- Full Committee Markup of the Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Bill
Thursday, June 27, 2024
- Subcommittee Markup
- Fiscal Year 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill
- Fiscal Year 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bill
Friday, June 28, 2024
- Subcommittee Markup
- Fiscal Year 2025 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill
- Fiscal Year 2025 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bill
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
- Full Committee Markup
- Fiscal Year 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Bill
- Fiscal Year 2025 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill
- Fiscal Year 2025 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bill
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
- Full Committee Markup
- Fiscal Year 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill
- Fiscal Year 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bill
- Fiscal Year 2025 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill
Reviewed 2024-05-17