The Senate has just voted to confirm Sally Jewell as the next Secretary for the US Department of the Interior. We congratulate Secretary Jewell and look forward to working with her in her new capacity.
Category: Federal Agency Developments
Congress Back in Session
Congress reconvenes this week after a two-week recess. Congress will be looking at the President’s Budget Request, and also wrestling with the debt ceiling, which is expected to expire yet again, this time in mid May. Also on the agenda this week (and through the month of April): immigration reform, gun control/safety, and FY14 appropriations.
Tuesday
- The Senate Budget Committee holds a confirmation hearing for Office of Management and Budget Director nominee Sylvia Mathews Burwell.
- The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a full committee hearing on the nomination of Dr. Ernest Moniz to be the Secretary of Energy.
Wednesday
- President Barack Obama releases his FY14 budget request (link will be active upon release of budget).
- The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee holds a confirmation hearing for Office of Management and Budget Director nominee Sylvia Mathews Burwell.
Sally Jewell Nomination Approved in Committee
The Senate Energy & Natural Resources has approved the nomination of Sally Jewell for the Secretary of Interior. Jewell’s nomination will now move to the full Senate for consideration, likely sometime in mid-April.
Sally Jewell Nomination for Interior Secretary to Advance
The Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee has scheduled a business meeting at 10:00am EDT on Thursday, March 21st, to consider the nomination of Sally Jewell to be the Secretary of the Interior. The business meeting will be webcast live on the Committee’s website, and an archived video will be available shortly after the meeting is complete. The committee is expected to advance Jewell’s nomination.
Military Tuition Assistance Programs Zeroed Out by Sequester
One of the first causalities of the the federal Sequester is the Tuition Assistance (TA) program provided by the Army and Marine Corps. Following the Marines Corps lead, the Army announced on Friday, March 8th that soldiers will not be allowed to enroll in TA-funded courses after the day of the annoucement. The Marines announced on Thursday, March 7th. Both programs would not go forward after March 8th. Soldiers who are currently in courses may complete their classes, but may not pay for additional courses with TA.
Military TA programs provide up to $4,500 per year for active-duty troops who are attending high school completion courses and certificate programs, or are working toward college degrees. According to the Army, 201,000 soldiers took advantage of the Army’s TA program in fiscal year 2012. The TA program provided $373 million, helping 2,831 soldiers earn associate degrees, 4,495 earn bachelor degrees and 1,946 receive graduate degrees.
The Navy and the Air Force are considering similar cuts, but as yet, have not publicly decided to follow suit.
UW estimates this will keep 100 soldiers from using TA in the Spring Quarter across all three campuses.