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Good afternoon,

The goal of this email is to provide a regular source of useful information to staff and faculty of the �������� System regarding the federal government and higher education. We have put together a list of news articles that will keep you informed of the actions taken by the executive, legislative, and judicial branch of government. These articles are meant to be informative and are not a reflection of the views or stance of the system regarding these issues. 

If you would like more information regarding any of the stories we share, or if you have any suggestions, please feel free to contact Dusty Schnieders and/or Emily Lucas .

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Capitol Hill News

The Hill – September 19, 2024
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that he will act later in the day to advance a bipartisan government funding bill after Speaker Mike Johnson failed to pass a partisan six-month funding measure that was tied to voter registration reform. Schumer said the Senate now may have to act first to avoid a government shutdown, even though government funding bills are supposed to originate in the House.

House Ways & Means Committee – September 18, 2024
Americans living with chronic diseases will have access to expanded treatment options provided through their employer’s health care coverage under legislation approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. The Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act (H.R. 3800), introduced by Ways and Means members Representatives Brad Wenstrup (OH-02) and Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), allows for employers who offer high-deductible health plan coverage for their employees the option of including pre-deductible coverage for certain health care services that treat common chronic illnesses.

Federal News

Politico – September 16, 2024
A Biden administration program aimed to pour billions of dollars into technologies of the future in the U.S. heartland. Instead, it’s been starved by Congress and potentially destined to stay that way. When Congress created the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs program two years ago — part of a massive plan signed by President Joe Biden to bring tech manufacturing dominance back to American shores — the idea had support from both parties, and came with potential political payoff in both red states and blue. Instead, it’s underfunded and barely present on the political stage — and anxious awardees are “holding their breath” for November.

Spectrum News – September 18, 2024
About $27 million in Department of Defense funding will go to the New York-based consortium known as the Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub (NORDTECH) to boost semiconductor research and development and workforce training at upstate universities and research institutions, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer announced Wednesday.

2024 Congressional Calendar

Tentative 2024 congressional calendar below, subject to change.