Congressional Activities
Both chambers of Congress returned to Washington this week, following a two week recess. House Republicans publicly released their debt limit bill. The proposal, The Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023, would impose caps on discretionary spending for ten years, starting in FY2024. FY2024 spending would be capped at FY2022 levels and spending growth would be limited to 1% annually through FY2033. The proposal would block President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan, repeal green tax credits created through the Inflation Reduction Act, institute stricter work requirements for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and implement the House Republicans' energy package, H.R. 1.
The House will likely begin floor debate on the Republican’s debt limit proposal next week. There is uncertainty over whether GOP leadership can get the 218 votes necessary to pass the bill in the House. Members of the House Freedom Caucus are demanding more spending cuts and the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus put out its own plan that would suspend the debt ceiling through December 31st, while working to “stabilize” the long-term federal budget.
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Congressional Calendar
The U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives will be in session next week.
Committee Hearings
Wednesday, April 26th, 2023
House Committee on Small Business
Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development Subcommittee Hearing: Help Wanted: Exploring How Alternative Paths to Student Debt Can Help to Strengthen Small Business
10:00 AM, 2360 Rayburn
Senate Committee on Appropriations
Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee Hearing: FY24 Request for the Department of Commerce
2:30 PM, 192 Dirksen
Thursday, April 27th, 2023
House Committee on Armed Services
Full Committee Hearing: FY24 Request for the Air Force
12:30 PM, 2118 Rayburn
House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
Full Committee Hearing: An Overview of the Budget Proposal for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for Fiscal Year 2024
1:00 PM, 2318 Rayburn
House Committee on Homeland Security
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee Hearing: CISA 2025: The State of American Cybersecurity from CISA’s Perspective
2:00 PM, 310 Cannon
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Request For Information and Public Comment Opportunities
Government agencies and other organizations issue Requests for Information (RFIs) that allow stakeholders to provide input, shaping the decisions that the federal government makes. The below RFIs have been issued and are currently accepting input. If you are planning to submit a response, we would love to know! Please email us at UM.FedRel@umich.edu.
The U.S. Department of Education Releases the Draft 2024-2025 FAFSA Package
The U.S. Department of Education has been working to update the FAFSA as required by passage of the FAFSA Simplification Act. In recent weeks, the Department released the draft 2024-2025 FAFSA package for public inspection in the Federal Register, and comments may be submitted here before the period closes on May 23, 2023. Federal Student Aid is preparing for the launch of the new FAFSA with a Knowledge Center Electronic Announcement, the Roadmap (containing a preview of trainings and other resources for stakeholders), and updated language on the Department’s FAFSA Simplification page.
White House OSTP National Nanotechnology Initiative RFI
The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, on behalf of the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology Subcommittee of the Committee on Technology, National Science and Technology Council, seeks public input in updating the National Nanotechnology Initiative Environmental, Health, and Safety Research Strategy. The Office is soliciting feedback from a variety of stakeholders, including academia, research laboratories, nonprofits, and think tanks, among others, to inform an updated research strategy that focuses on the use of science-based risk analysis and risk management to protect public health and the environment while also fostering the technological advancements that benefit society. Responses will be accepted for any or all of the following questions:
- What are the research accomplishments in the following six core research areas identified in the 2011 NNI EHS Strategy? The six core research areas are (1) Nanomaterial Measurement Infrastructure, (2) Human Exposure Assessment, (3) Human Health, (4) Environment, (5) Risk Assessment and Risk Management Methods, and (6) Informatics and Modeling.
- What research gaps remain in addressing the six NNI EHS core research areas listed in question 1?
- The ethical, legal, and societal implications (ELSI) of nanotechnology are considered across the core research areas of the 2011 strategy. What additional ways could ELSI be more fully integrated throughout a refreshed NNI EHS research strategy?
- What broad themes should the revised strategy adopt to integrate and connect the six research areas?
- How should the updated NNI EHS research strategy reflect the evolution of nanotechnology beyond engineered nanomaterials to complex systems, structures, and devices?
- The 2011 strategy focused on engineered nanomaterials and did not include incidental nanoscale materials such as nanoplastics and certain nanoscale particulate emissions such as those from 3D printing. If the updated strategy is revised to include some non-engineered or incidental nanomaterials, describe how to scope the strategy in a way that complements rather than being redundant with existing health and environmental research (e.g., by excluding the large body of existing research on air pollution, which can include nanoscale particles).
Comments are due June 2nd, 2023. Further information is available here.
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Nomination Announcements
Federal Advisory Committees provide an opportunity for the public to serve the federal government, providing their expertise and influencing the operations of federal agencies.
New and Upcoming Openings
DOE Environmental Management Advisory Board
The Department of Energy (DOE) is soliciting nominations for membership on the Environmental Management Advisory Board. This committee provides independent advice, information, and recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management on issues relating to accelerated site cleanup and risk reduction. Membership on the committee ranges from governmental and non-governmental entities, private industry, and scientific and academic communities.
Nominations are due May 15th, 2023. Further information is available here.
CDC Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking nominations for membership on the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis. This council provides advice and recommendations regarding the elimination of tuberculosis to the Secretary for Health and the Director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Membership consists of 10 experts in fields associated with public health, epidemiology, immunology, infectious diseases, pulmonary disease, pediatrics, tuberculosis, microbiology, and preventative health care delivery.
Nominations are due August 31st, 2023. Further information is available here.
CDC Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and STD Prevention and Treatment
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking nominations for membership on the Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and STD Prevention and Treatment. This committee works with public health authorities in the conduct of research, investigations, experiments, demonstrations, and studies relating to the causes, diagnosis, treatment, control, and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Membership consists of 18 experts in fields associated with public health, epidemiology, laboratory practice, immunology, infectious diseases, substance use disorder, behavioral science, and medical education, among others.
Nominations are due October 1st, 2023. Further information is available here.
NSF Scientific and Technical Advisory Committees
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is requesting nominations for membership on its scientific and technical Federal advisory committees. These committees typically meet twice a year to review and provide advice on program management, discuss current issues, and review and advise on the impact of policies. There are multiple committees accepting nominations, including the Advisory Committee for Education and Human Resources; the Advisory Committee for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences, and the Advisory Committee for Biological Sciences, among others.
Nominations will be accepted on a continuous basis. Further information is available here.
HRSA Council on Graduate Medical Education
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting nominations for candidates to serve on the Council on Graduate Medical Education. This council provides advice and recommendations on policy, program development, and other matters of significance concerning the physician training and physician workforce. Nominees should represent primary care physicians, national and specialty physician organizations, international medical graduates, medical student associations, and public and private teaching hospitals, among others.
Nominations will be accepted on a continuous basis. Further information is available here.
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