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Author: Sarah Castro

Reviewed 9/22

Snow Day!

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SNOW DAY!

Capitol Dome in Snow, Architect of the Capitol

The federal government is closed today as DC deals with a storm that has impacted the east coast from Atlanta to Boston. Winter storm warnings were in effect for 17 states, and the District remains under a warning until noon today. The Washington, DC metro area is expected to enjoy a balmy 32 degree high and snow totals ranging from 4 to 10 inches. Most neighborhoods within the beltway experienced 4 to 6 inches.

The House and Senate are in recess this week for President’s Day, so no action is expected on the Hill.  Normal business for federal agencies is expected to resume tomorrow as the District shovels out today.

Expect immigration and the Obama Executive Order to be a hot topic in the next few weeks. Last night, federal Texas judge Judge Andrew Hanen, a George W. Bush appointee, blocked the controversial Executive Order. Judge Hanen said there was sufficient merit to the case to suspend the actions while the case goes forward. The Administration is expected to appeal the ruling. Read more at the AP.

What We’re Reading, February 9

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Here’s a selection or articles Federal Relations is reading this week.

Plane and Simple Motives – Obama has been using Air Force One as a means to engage more with Congressional leaders, and the Leaders have been using it as a means to shape Administration policy. Read more at Politico.

Um, No…- Community colleges have come out against the Administration’s latest effort to rate colleges because of the future intention to tie this to federal student aid funding. Read it at the Wall Street Journal.

College Dropout – All look at what happened to the Peter Theil Fellows since it was announced five years ago. Read it at the Chronicle for Higher Education.

Mind the Gap – The LA Times loos at the difference, and increases, out of state students are paying at some of the country’s most prestigious public, flagship institutions. Specifically, the article ponders the question: should and can the California Legislature continue to raise the price of tuition on out of state students for schools within the UC System? UW is cited. Read it at the LA Times.

Student Debt = More National Debt? – An article on the US amassing debt from Income Based Repayment (IBR) plans. The article also touches on accounting methods of the federal loan portfolio and if the US is, in fact, making money on student loans. Read more at The New York Times.

Shut It Down – An overview of what happens if Congress fails to pass Homeland Security appropriations for FY16. Read it at Yahoo.

Ashton Carter Confirmed as Secretary of Defense

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Today, the Senate on Thursday confirmed Ashton B. Carter to be the next defense secretary by a vote of 93 to 5. The installation of the new Pentagon chief comes on the same day that the President has asked Congress for the authority to formally authorize (and increase) military action by the US against the Islamic State.

Carter, a former deputy defense secretary, and replaces Chuck Hagel in what has been a fairly swift confirmation process — the first hearings started in early February.

 

House Approves their Version of ESEA

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Today, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce marked up HR 5, the Student Success Act, a bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

There were 26 amendments offered. Only five amendments passed (including a Chairman’s substitute), 16 failed, 4 were withdrawn and one was ruled not germane to the bill by the Chair. The amendments also with largely down party lines.

The committee passed HR 5 by a final, party line vote of 21-16.

House Passes NASA Reauthorization

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Today, the House of Representatives yesterday approved HR 810, the NASA Authorization Act of 2015 as a noncontroversial measure under suspension of the rules. The bill is identical to the bipartisan bill that passed the House last year by a vote of 401-2 but failed to be considered in the Senate.

It remains uncertain if the Senate will consider the bill.