DOE Funding Opportunity: Technologies to Produce Renewable Carbon Fiber from Biomass

Posted on February 3, 2014

The Energy Department today announced up to $12 million in funding to advance the production of cost-competitive, high-performance carbon fiber material from renewable non-food-based feedstocks such as agricultural residues and woody biomass. Carbon fiber derived from biomass may be less costly to manufacture and offer greater environmental benefits than traditional carbon fiber produced from natural gas or petroleum. This funding supports the Energy Department’s Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative, which is a cross-cutting effort to ensure U.S. manufacturers remain competitive in the global marketplace.

This Week in Congress

Posted on February 3, 2014February 3, 2014

This week Congress has returned from a brief recess. Monday the Senate will consider the conference report on the five-year farm bill (HR 2642) at 2 PM. After a nearly four-year stalemate on this issue, The National Journal reports it “looks ready to sail through the Senate this week and be signed by President Obama.” C-SPAN2 will have live coverage, which can be viewed here.

Also Monday, the House will consider and debate HR 327, which would help veteran students obtain in-state tuition rates through the GI Bill. The floor debate will be broadcast live on C-SPAN 1.

Later in the week, both House and Senate Budget Committees will spend time going over the 2014 budget outlook. Senate Budget Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA) will hold a full committee hearing on Tuesday titled, “The 2014 Outlook: Moving from Constant Crises to Broad-Based Growth.” Scheduled witnesses include folks from Moody’s Analytics, Gluskin Sheff and Associates, and the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. Wednesday, House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (D-Wis.) will hold a full committee hearing on the budget and economic outlook with the Congressional Budget Office.

MONDAY, February 3^rd

Senate Floor
HR 2642 Agriculture Act of 2014
Floor action
2 PM, Senate Chamber

House Floor
GI Tuition Fairness Act of 2013
Floor action
2 PM, House Chamber

TUESDAY, February 4^th

Senate Budget Committee
Federal Budget Outlook
Full Committee Hearing
10:30 AM, 608 Dirksen Building

WEDNESDAY, February 5^th

House Budget Committee
CBO Budget & Economic Outlook
Full Committee Hearing
10 AM, 210 Cannon Building

Senate HELP Committee Approves Cordova for NSF

Posted on January 29, 2014January 28, 2014

The Senate HELP Committee met in an Executive Session today and approved several Presidential nominations including Dr. Frances Cordova to be the Director of NSF.

The HELP Committee approved Dr. Cordova’s nomination last year (December 18, 2013). With a new year, the Committee must approve her nomination once again. From here, Dr. Cordova’s nomination will need to be approved by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and the whole Senate as well.

SOTU Tonight

Posted on January 28, 2014

Tonight President Obama will deliver the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT. He is expected to talk about a package of largely recycled proposals that would, among other things, raise the minimum wage, overhaul immigration laws, and authorize new infrastructure spending. He’ll also use the State of the Union to serve notice he’s ready to use executive orders and the bully pulpit to revive his second term and end run Congress on such issues as environmental regulations. There will be sharp focus on the middle class, the economy, and income inequality, and another chance to sell the public on the merits of the health care overhaul. And Obama is certain to highlight issues related to college costs and access that may or may not be viable with Congress.

Washington state’s own Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers will provide the GOP response to the President’s SOTU. We are hoping that she doesn’t fall victim to the State of the Union Curse that has plagued so many before her.

Farm Bill Conference Report Announced

Posted on January 28, 2014January 28, 2014

After two years of negotiating, Farm bill conferees announced a sweeping, bipartisan five-year farm bill late Monday. The measure costs an estimated $1.1 trillion and is filled with trade-offs and an estimated savings of nearly $23 billion.

The bulk of savings comes from cutting $19 billion from farm programs, including an end to direct payments to farmers — money that often went to farmers who don’t actually farm. An additional $6 billion is saved by merging 23 separate conservation programs into 13, which is a move supported by conservation groups nationwide. There are $8 billion in cuts tied to the food stamp program which will come largely from increasing the state heating assistance requirement.

The House Rules Committee met late Monday night to fast-track the bill to the House Floor. The bill will come up on Wednesday, before House Republicans depart for their annual policy retreat. The House will consider the conference report well in advance of the House’s Three Day Rule, which requires introduced legislation pend at least three calendar days before it is considered and voted upon by the House. The rule is designed to give Members of Congress and staff time to read and analyze bills.

The text of the bill runs 949 pages and s accompanied by a 186-page managers’ statement.

Already the American Meat Institute and the National Meat Association, who represent cattle, hog and poultry producers, have announced opposition to the conference report and will whip against the bill.

If the House adopts the report, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, said his chamber could take up the legislation sometime during the current three-week work period.

The Office of Federal Relations is tracking this issue and will continue to provide updates.