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Author: Christy Gullion

House Tries to Force Vote on Student Loans

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House Democrats are attempting to force a floor vote on a two-year extension of the current interest rate for federally subsidized student loans and avert a scheduled doubling of the rate on July 1, 2013.

They hope to file a discharge petition if they get the support of a majority of members. This would force a vote on a HR 1595 that would freeze the current 3.4 percent interest rate on the subsidized portion of Stafford loans for two years while Congress negotiates a permanent solution. It’s similar to a Senate bill (S 953) that last week fell short of the 60-vote threshold needed for an up-or-down floor vote in that chamber.

House Republicans have declined to bring HR 1595 up for consideration and assert that they already passed their own plan (HR 1911) that would shift the fixed rate to one tied to the 10-year Treasury bill plus 2.5 percent. The White House has threatened a veto of that measure, saying it could end up costing borrowers more and allow the rate to fluctuate for the life of the loan.

With just 16 days before the rate hike is set to begin, we are tracking the discharge petition to see how the WA state delegation members respond. As of yesterday, it had 150 signatures including those from Reps. Suzan DelBene (D-1st), Denny Heck (D-10th), Derek Kilmer (D-6th), and Jim McDermott (D-7th).

Immigration, Defense Authorization, and FY14 Appropriations — Oh My!

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Today in the Senate: The chamber meets this morning to continue debating a comprehensive overhaul of immigration laws (S 744).

Today in the House: The chamber is scheduled to begin general debate on a $638.4 billion defense authorization bill (HR 1960) for FY14 that includes funding and/or language for three of UW’s requests: (1) $15 million for awards to academic medical institutions for reconstructive transplants; (2) $15 million for Navy research vessels (to help with the RV Tommy Thompson); and (3) language promoting the National Marine Renewable Energy Centers for ocean renewable energy demonstration activities at or near DOD facilities (tidal energy).

FY14 Appropriations Update: Senate Republican appropriators appear ready to oppose any measures written by Democrats that exceed the discretionary spending cap set by the 2011 deficit reduction law. Next week, they will likely reject a plan from Appropriations Chairwoman Mikulski (D-MD) that would divide up $1.058 trillion among the committee’s dozen annual bills. The Senate plan is about $91 billion higher than the overall level set by House Republicans. Ironically, both plans would trigger a new round of across-the-board spending reductions under sequester because they violate the caps set by the 2011 law (PL 111-25). But the House GOP plan busts the caps in defense and other security measures while the Senate is expected to bust the caps in both defense and non-defense (domestic) bills. All of this is leading to a big fight on spending, which will certainly culminate in a continuing resolution (CR) before the federal fiscal year ends September 30th.

Budget Update

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Both the House and Senate are in session this week; just three more weeks of work before they break for the Fourth of July week. This week the House will take up the annual defense authorization bill, while the Senate completes work on its version of the farm bill and considers immigration legislation.

FY14 Appropriations: Last week the House passed its first two FY14 spending bills and should move another two by the end of this month. The House passed the Military Construction-VA and Homeland Security spending bills despite two veto threats, and Senate appropriators are set to mark up funding measures in the coming weeks. But the two chambers are operating off vastly different top-line budget numbers — given that the House and Senate haven’t come close to reaching a budget deal — meaning the measures may not come to the Senate floor and setting the stage for another stopgap spending bill this fall. At this point in the process, it appears that the House wants to pass the defense-related bills up front, leaving the later bills to be rolled up into a continuing resolution (CR) later in the year.

House appropriators are set to move two additional spending bills this week: Defense and Agriculture. House GOP leaders expect the bills on the floor before the July Fourth break. If those bills move through committee and pass the floor as expected, the House will have passed a quarter of its annual spending bills by the Fourth of July. The Senate, meanwhile, may not approve any of their spending bills before the break.

Debt Limit: Republicans continue to demand concessions in the form of deficit-reduction measures in return for increasing the government’s borrowing limit. Discussions are ongoing and there is still time to come to an agreement as the debt limit may not need to be addressed until this fall.

Today in Congress: Student Loan Bills

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The Senate is in at 9:00am and will hold three procedural votes on the farm bill and two rival bills to keep interest rates low for student loans. It’s not certain either can clear the 60-vote threshold in the Senate. The Republican-led House already has taken action on loans – and drawn a veto threat from Obama. Interest rates on new subsidized Stafford loans are set to double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent if Congress doesn’t act by July 1, but talks between Democrats and Republicans have largely broken down.

The House is also in at 9:00am, with votes expected between 11:00am and 1:00pm on the Homeland Security Appropriations Act. The White House has threatened a veto, stating Congress shouldn’t consider spending bills until the House and Senate agree on an overall budget framework.

Later this afternoon, Senator Frank Lautenberg’s (D-NJ) casket will arrive at the East Senate Steps of the Capitol. A Color Guard ceremony will be held, and then Lautenberg will lie in repose on the Lincoln catafalque in the well of the Senate. Senators and staffers will get a chance to pay their respects. Reporters will have access to the press gallery of the Senate Chamber, and members of the public will have an opportunity to pay respects from the gallery.

ED Now Accepting Applications for Fall Internships

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The Department of Education (ED) is currently accepting applications for fall internships for those interested in education policy research and analysis, intergovernmental relations and public affairs, work with social media while learning about the role Federal Government plays in education, or similar areas. Interns will develop a variety of other skills, including writing, researching, communication, and time-management skills, and will also participate in group intern events, such as brown-bag lunches with ED officials, movie nights, and local tours. And, you’ll get to spend fall in historic Washington, DC with all that the city and region have to offer!