blog navigation

Federal Relations News
A list that showcases University resources and interactions with federal agencies

blog posts

  • Federal Relations E-Newsletter- 2.27.2015

    Feb 27, 2015 3:15 pm by Federal Relations

    Fallout from President Obama's immigration action casts a long shadow over DC this week.

    As the final seconds tick away on both the work week and Homeland Security funding, the House and Senate have so far not been unable to identify a compromise to keep the agency funded. The Senate passed a clean bill that would keep funding secure through September, while the House has proposed, but so far not passed, a continuing resolution for a few more weeks.
     
    LEGISLATIVE OUTLOOK
     
    Campus Sexual Assault Legislation Reintroduced
     

    A bipartisan group of Senators filed a modified version of the Campus Accountability and Safety Act (CASA), which is aimed to mitigate sexual assault on college campuses. The legislation makes positive improvements supported by our community. Some of the major changes relate to the climate survey, MOUs with local law enforcement, and the role of confidential advisors. Click here for an archived webcast of the press conference where the legislation was announced. A House coalition will soon introduce a House version of the bill. 

    OGR will be working with the President's Task Force to Prevent and Address Sexual Violence/Misconduct to review the legislation and provide feedback to Congress.
     
    House Strengthens College Savings Plans
     

    Members of both parties cried foul after President Obama proposed taxing "529" college savings accounts in his State of the Union Address. More than 12 million of such plans--wildly popular with middle class families--have helped resulted in college savings of more than $225 billion since 1996, according to the bill's sponsors.

    This week, the House approved legislation that would expand, modernize, and strengthen such plans. The new legislation clarifies that computers are a qualified expense for 529 account funds, eliminates unnecessary paperwork, and permits the re-deposit of college refunds without taxes or penalties.

    The bill now heads to the Senate.
     
    More Action on Patent Litigation
     

    This week, UI and its Urbana and Chicago campuses joined 144 universities on an AAU/APLU letter expressing concern with the impact of patent legislation on the ability of universities to engage in technology transfer. The letter notes that universities support efforts to rein in the actions of bad actors in the patent system but that the legislation goes well beyond what is needed to address the bad actions of a small number of patent holders, and would instead make it more difficult and expensive for patent holders to defend their rights in good faith.

    This effort follows a similar effort by Big Ten presidents and chancellors last month. Patent legislation opposed by universities is expected to move in a key House committee in the next few weeks.
     
    DC VISITORS
     

    Urbana Chancellor Phyllis Wise came to DC this week to accept the Draper Prize—one of the world's most prestigious awards for engineering—on behalf of Nick Holonyak, Jr. for his work in pioneering light-emitting diode (LED) technology. While in town, Wise covered a lot of DC territory between meetings with leaders from a scientific society, federal agency, higher ed association, and Congress.

    She spoke with Ralph Cicerone—an Urbana alum (MS, PhD) who serves as the President of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and Chair of the National Research Council (NRC)—about some of the unique challenges facing public research universities. 

    Wise met with the Director of NIH's National Institute on Aging, Richard Hodes, where she talked about Urbana's innovative research efforts in Alzheimer’s disease and neuroscience research with the Institute of Genomic Biology, the Beckman Institute, and the Mayo Illinois Alliance.

    She also caught up with Hunter Rawlings, President of the Association of American Universities (AAU) to provide him with a campus update.

    Finally, she swung by Capitol Hill to see Rep. Rodney Davis to congratulate him on his new leadership position as chairman of an agriculture research subcommittee. 
     
    DELEGATION SPOTLIGHT
     
    Bustos Champions Year-Round Pell
     

    Rep. Cheri Bustos introduced legislation this week—the Access to Education and Training Act—which would allow Pell Grant recipients to take advantage of these grants year-round. UI is supporting year-round Pell in its advocacy surrounding the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA). 
     
    AMONGST OURSELVES
     

    As announced earlier this week, Jon Pyatt stepped down from his position at OGR to become top advisor to Rep. Cheri Bustos of Illinois' seventeenth congressional district. His last day was today.

    Melissa Haas will serve as Acting Director of Federal Relations until a permanent director is named. Melissa can be reached at 202-624-7876 or mshaas@uillinois.edu.
     

    Thank you,

    Melissa Haas | Acting Director | OGR Federal Relations
     
        

    stats

    • 1 View

    additional actions