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News and updates

News and updates

NSF Updates FAQ for Grant Recipients Impacted by COVID-19

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In response to inquiries from the community, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has updated FAQs related to NSF’s implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-26, “Extension of Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations,” dated June 18, 2020.

The updated FAQ is available here.

 

Meanwhile, the FY2021 Appropriations Bills Move Along

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While most of the public’s attention is focused on the difficult negotiations that may or may not be taking placing on the next COVID relief package, the clock continues to count down to the start of FY2021.

The House is working to adopt a second “minibus” of spending bills before this weekend.  Instead of taking up a seven-bill package as originally planned, the chamber is now considering one made up of six pieces, having removed the almost-always-controversial Homeland Security measure from the minibus.  More than 300 amendments are expected to be debated before a vote to adopt the legislation.

This week’s package is made up of:  Commerce-Justice-Science; Defense; Energy and Water; Labor-HHS-Education; Financial Services-General Government; and Transportation-HUD bills.  Last week, the House cleared the Agriculture, Interior, State-Foreign Operations, and VA-Military Construction measures.  This leaves the Homeland Security and Legislative Branch bills for future consideration.

The Senate still has yet to produce any of the 12 bills.

Let the Negotiations Begin

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It turns out that the COVID relief package that the Senate Republicans released yesterday is made up of eight separate bills, with each one attempting to address a different aspect of the relief and recovery effort.  They range from a supplemental appropriations bill that would provide funding to myriad agencies and programs to policy bills aimed at issues like student loan repayment plans and tax credits for employers who retain workers, and everything in between.

Here are some of the most relevant provisions to UW from the various bills unveiled yesterday:

  • $105 billion for education programs, of which $29.1 billion would be for higher education institutions around the country.  Allocations would be based on formulas that are pegged to the full-time equivalent enrollments of Pell students  Institutions would have more control over how their allocations would be used
  • Students taking out new federal student loans would see a consolidation of repayment options, from the current list of nine programs down to two:  1) standard 10-year repayment program; 2) income-dependent plan that would cap repayment at 10% of disposable income.  If a borrower’s income is less than 150% above the poverty line, no repayment would be required.
  • On the research side, NIH would see more than $10 billion in research support, with $240 million dedicated to extending grants and traineeships for young researchers.  Funds going to other research agencies are primarily for activities directly related to COVID-19 and not directed towards research support.
  • The package also includes additional funding for hospitals and health care providers.
  • While Democrats have sought further direct support for states and cities, the Republican package does not include any new funding but would provide further flexibility on how already provided funds could be spent.

Unlike the House-passed bill that clocks in at $3 trillion, the Senate package totals approximately $1 trillion.  Even at that lower cost figure, there appears to be enough opposition within the Republican caucus over its cost at this point that is causing some heartburn for its leadership.  With some internal grumbling and a number of relief programs scheduled to end soon, like the enhanced unemployment checks and rent and mortgage assistance, as backdrop, the Republican leadership has started negotiations with the House and the White House.  How long the negotiations will take remains to be seen.

DHS to Reject Initial DACA Applications

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The US Department of Homeland Security has announced it will reject initial DACA applications, and will “thoughtfully consider the future of the DACA policy, including whether to fully rescind the program”.

The following changes will take effect immediately:

  • Reject all initial requests for DACA and associated applications for Employment Authorization Documents;
  • Reject new and pending requests for advanced parole absent exceptional circumstances; and,
  • Limit the period of renewed deferred action granted pursuant to the DACA policy after the issuance of this memorandum to one year.

Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf said in a press statement that “Congress should act on this matter”.

The full memorandum is available here.

Senate Republicans Release Their Relief Package

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Late yesterday afternoon, the Senate Republicans released their anticipated COVID relief package. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has said in the past that this is the last COVID relief bill that the Republicans will consider.

The package itself is made up of a number of different bills, with each one dealing with a different set of issues.  The bills of most relevance to UW include the following:

  • a supplemental appropriations bill that provides additional funding to institutions of higher education and for limited additional research support;
  • a bill from the HELP Committee chairman that addresses, among others, issues around student loans and borrowers; and,
  • a set of provisions from the Finance Committee that deals with tax and business issues.

We will provide summaries of the key provisions in the different measures in the near future.

This package of provisions will serve as the starting point for the Senate Republicans in their negotiations with the Democrats.