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News and updates

Deal Reached on an Infrastructure Package

Today the White House announced a deal has been reached with the Administration and a group of bipartisan Senators on the outline of a $1 trillion (including approx. $579 billion new spending) traditional infrastructure package. These priorities include roads, bridges, public transit, electric vehicles, coastal infrastructure, rural broadband access, and supporting IRS tax collection efforts on high earners. The legislation must still be written and pass both chambers.

Calls from within the Democratic caucus for a “human” infrastructure package- addressing paid leave, childcare, housing, and community college, is likely to go through the budget reconciliation process in a similar manner to the American Rescue Plan Act. The President indicated he would want to see both pieces of legislation arrive on his desk together.

Read more here.

Bipartisan ARPA-H Legislation Introduced

US Representatives DeGette (D-CO) and Upton (R-MI) released yesterday bipartisan legislation which would create the new Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health outlined in President Biden’s FY22 budget request. Titled the Cures 2.0 Act, the legislation would provide more than $6.5 billion for US research efforts on health issues such as cancer and Alzheimer’s, as well as improve Medicare coverage, patient access to health information, caregiver training, and diversity in clinical trials.

Draft text is available here.

 

NOAA Administrator Confirmed

Rick Spinrad was confirmed by the Senate yesterday as NOAA Administrator. His nomination was approved earlier in the week by the Senate Commerce Committee.

An announcement about the confirmation and Spinrad from NOAA is available here.

Double the Pell Legislation Reintroduced

House and Senate Democrats have reintroduced the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act, which would double the maximum Pell award gradually over several years, expand the program to DACA recipients, and make other changes. The bill is sponsored by House Education and Labor Committee Chair Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chair Patty Murray (D-WA).

Read more here.

NSF Legislation Adopted in Senate

After several weeks on the floor, the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act– formerly known as the “Endless Frontier Act”– was cleared by the Senate yesterday. The final vote was 68 – 32.

The House has its own version of the bill, the NSF for the Future Act.