Third Supplemental Introduced in House

Posted on March 23, 2020March 23, 2020

A third COVID-19 supplemental appropriations bill as been introduced in the House. Among other things, the bill includes funding for key social services, K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and provisions for federal student loans. The bill also expands unemployment insurance and provides greater protections for workers with regards to COVID-19.

Some key funds included in the bill:

$50 billion to states for K-12 and higher education.
$300 million for National Endowment for the Humanities.
$100 million for National Science Foundation for research and related activities.
$99.5 million for Department of Energy Office of Science.

This bill is a counter-proposal to the Senate bill which is currently being negotiated.

The full text of the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act (HR 6379) is available here.

NSF to Implement Regulatory Flexibility Authorized by OMB

Posted on March 23, 2020

On March 19, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued Memorandum M-20-17 to federal agencies granting them the authority to provide regulatory flexibility to entities conducting federal research as they struggle to response to the coronavirus. Earlier today, NSF issued guidance on its implementation of the OMB memo.

Along with the guidance, NSF Director France Cordova issued a notice to the science and engineering community with respect to NSF and COVID-19.

Bill to Address GI Bill Concerns Caused by COVID-19 Signed

Posted on March 23, 2020

The legislation aimed at addressing problems in the GI Bill benefits process as a result of academic programs moving to on-line delivery, S. 3503, was signed into law on Saturday.

Senate Democrats Stall Vote on COVID-19 Package

Posted on March 23, 2020

Today Senate Democrats defeated a procedural vote on a $1.6 trillion COVID-19 spending package. Democrats seek to include additional provisions whereas Senate Republicans call for a quick vote. Negotiations continue with Senate and the White House. Full story at Politico.

Senate Democrats Release Outline of Student Assistance Plan

Posted on March 20, 2020

Countering the Republican efforts to assist students that were included in the “Phase 3” bill, Senate Democrats released a summary of their own proposal on the issue. The legislative text for the plan has not yet been released.

The summary of the plan, as prepared by the Democratic staff, is here and a press release about the proposal is here.

Again, while the legislative text is not yet available, the centerpiece of the plan is the federal repayment of student loans during the COVID-19 crisis.