As announced earlier, The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology is currently holding a hearing “BUILDING BACK THE U.S. RESEARCH ENTERPRISE: COVID IMPACTS AND RECOVERY”. Watch here.
News and updates
UW Publishes 2021 Federal Agenda
The University of Washington has published our 2021 Federal Agenda outlining our top priorities for the coming year. Our agenda reflects a commitment to service, excellence, and innovation, taking into account the unique challenges of the past year.
We are proud of our longstanding partnership with the federal government and look forward to further collaboration in 2021.
Interior Secretary-Nominee Faces Confirmation Hearing
ShakeAlert to Test Public Alerting System on Thursday
ShakeAlert, the West Coast-wide earthquake early warning system under joint development for a number of years by the USGS, UW, University of Oregon, UC Berkeley, and Cal Tech, will be ready to test a public alert system this Thursday in parts of Washington. Residents of King, Pierce, and Thurston Counties who opt in to receive the alert on their wireless devices will receive a notice at 11 AM PT.
Democrats Introduce Immigration Reform Bill
Democrats have introduced an immigration bill – The US Citizenship Act- which could provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented people. The bill is being championed by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) and Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ). President Biden has already indicated support. Among other things, the bill will:
- Provide an 8-year pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who arrived in the US by January 1st, 2021 and pass a background check. The first 5 years would be provisional, after which the non-citizen could apply for a green card, and then 3 years later could apply for citizenship.
- There would be an expedited pathway for farmworkers and persons holding DACA status. No specific timeline was announced.
- Replace “alien” with “non-citizen” in law.
- Increase caps on family and employment based green cards. Eliminate the caps for STEM doctoral students.
- Establish dual-intent for international students with regards to immigration.
- Prevent states from charging non-resident tuition to refugees, asylum seekers, and other special categories of non-citizens.
- H-4 visa reform including adding work authorization for spouses and children.
- Expand transnational anti-drug task forces in Central America and improve technology at the southern border.
The bill is expected to be introduced in the House this week, and in the Senate next week, where it would need 10 Republican Senators to vote in favor. Bill text is available here (Senate) and here (House).
The bill contains numerous, wide-ranging provisions, and our office is still working through the text.