The confirmation process for President-elect Obama’s remaining cabinet nominees went somewhat off track last week; as Tom Daschle’s nomination was derailed due to federal income tax issues. Mr. Daschle’s decision to withdraw from the confirmation process was seen as a significant setback by those seeking to advance health care reform later this year. The former Senate Majority Leader’s knowledge of the inner workings of Congress would have been helpful in advancing an overhaul of the nation’s health care system. The unsuccessful nomination of Tom Daschle combined with the failed nominations of Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM) for Secretary of Commerce, Nancy Killefer for the new Chief Performance Officer post, delayed confirmation for Hilda Solis (D-CA) to be Secretary of Labor, as well as the tumultuous confirmation of Timothy Geithner for Secretary of Treasury has transformed a seemingly smooth transition into a period of difficulty for the President. President Obama hopes to regain footing in the confirmation process with his nomination of Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) to head the Department of Commerce. A decision on a replacement for Mr. Daschle is not expected soon, but some names mentioned by speculators as possibilities include Governors Phil Bredesen (D-TN) and Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS).
News and updates
Fiscal Year 2010 Federal Agenda
| Project Title |
Project Description |
Amount | Funding Mechanism | Appropriations Bill and Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Institute for Simulation and Interprofessional Studies (ISIS) | Supports the development of new methods for deployment training and reset training of soldiers in the Madigan Army Medical Center Warrior Transition Unit, as well as reintegration training of physicians and civilian reservists in the Pacific Northwest; skills training through simulation; and research of how to leverage the power of distributed training and treatment over the Internet. | $6.38 million | Directed Appropriation | Defense – USAMRMC |
| Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) | Supports the construction of a networked infrastructure of science-driven sensor systems to measure the physical, chemical, geological and biological variables in the ocean and seafloor. Greater knowledge of these variables is vital for improved detection and forecasting of environmental changes and their effects on biodiversity, coastal ecosystems and climate. | $130 million (for the OOI component of the MREFC account) | Programmatic | Commerce/Justice /Science – NSF Major Research Equipment Facilities Construction (MREFC) Account |
| Puget Sound Ecosystem Research Initiative (PSERI) | Supports the integration of scientific data and information in the implementation of the Puget Sound Partnership Action Agenda for the protection and restoration of the Puget Sound. | $2.13 million | Directed Appropriation | Interior/EPA – Environmental Programs and Management |
| Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center | Supports the NW Center, an Oregon State University/University of Washington partnership. OSU will direct the NW Center and focus its efforts on applied research for wave energy. UW will focus on research specific to tidal energy. The two Universities will leverage their expertise and experience to accelerate the development of ocean energy. The NW Center will work directly with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. | $5 million ($1.2 million to UW) | Directed Appropriation | Energy/Water – Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects |
| House of Knowledge | Supports a multi-service learning and gathering space for Native American students, faculty and staff, and others of various cultures and communities to come together in a supporting and welcoming educational environment to share their knowledge and their cultures. Requested funding will support design. | $1 million | Directed Appropriation | Transportation/HUD – Economic Development Initiative |
| Integrated Transportation Lab and Research Program | Supports research initiatives for green roads sustainability rating system; power roads system of using transportation infrastructure to generate electricity; rapid construction techniques; freight forecasting; simulation and visualization of traffic operations; and improved safety for non-motorized and motorized travel. | $2 million | Directed Appropriation | Transportation/HUD – STP or TCSP |
| UW Bothell Nursing Faculty Consortium Training Program | Supports the final phase of a three-year project designed to increase the number of master’s-prepared nursing faculty available to teach in Washington state higher education facilities, increasing the quantity and quality of practicing nurses. | $500,000 | Directed Appropriation | Labor/HHS/ Education – FIPSE, or HRSA |
| Washington State Biofuels Industry Development | Supports the provision of critical equipment for converting Washington state mixed biomass sources into transportation fuels. | $1 million | Directed Appropriation | Energy/Water – Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects |
| Center of Excellence in Prevention, Diagnosis, Mitigation, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Hearing Loss and Auditory System Injuries | Supports focused research on the prevention of hearing loss and other inner ear diseases due to combat exposures and aging. Enormous progress can be achieved in a relatively short time by investing resources on biological approaches toward prevention and regeneration. | $45 million | Programmatic | Defense – Army |
| Federal Agency Funding Level Recommendations | In addition to the specific projects and programs mentioned above, the UW will make funding recommendations for agencies of particular significance, which include: USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Services; NOAA; NSF; DoD RDT&E; DoE Office of Science; DHS S&T Directorate; EPA, DoA State and Private Forestry, USGS Survey Research, NEA, NEH, DoEd., HRSA, NIH, and VA Medicine. Given the delayed release of a full PBR, the UW will make recommendations by spring 2009. | TBD | Programmatic | Various |
International Education Meeting to Commemorate Title VI Anniversary
Next month, campus international education officials and a number of university presidents and chancellors will come to Washington, D.C. for a conference to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title VI, which authorizes the international education programs funded through the Department of Education.
The Title VI meeting and celebration will be held March 19 to 21 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Capitol Hill at 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW.
Additional information about the conference is available at: http://titlevi50th.msu.edu/ .
Campus Safety Act Passes House
On February 3rd, the House of Representatives passed the Campus Safety Act of 2009 (HR 748) by voice vote. The legislation was sponsored by Congressman Robert C. Scott (D-VA), chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. The measure has drawn bipartisan support, including that of the subcommittee’s ranking member, Louie Gohmert (R-TX). The legislation authorizes the creation of a center that would provide $2.8 million in educational and training grants to campus public safety and mental health offices. The Campus Safety Center would also develop protocols for responding to campus emergencies and serve as a clearinghouse of information on best practices for campuses. The bill now move to the Senate for consideration. If approved, funding would need to be appropriated for the center in the annual appropriations process.
Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Delayed in the House Until After President’s Day Congressional Recess
The House leadership has indicated that they will now delay consideration of an omnibus FY09 appropriations bill until after the President’s Day recess. It is possible that some of the spending provisions stripped out of the economic recovery package – in order to gain passage – will be added to the FY09 omnibus.