FY24 funding agreement discussions continue
In November, lawmakers avoided a government shutdown by passing a two-step continuing resolution (CR) that funds some federal government agencies through January 19, and others through February 2, 2024. In a letter to his colleagues on December 7, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) stated his intention to complete action on full-year bills ahead of the 2024 CR deadlines.
Congress expected to pass National Defense Authorization Act
On December 6, the leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee released their conference report for the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets policy and funding levels for national defense. This report reflects the agreement reached through the conference process of negotiating the differences between the House and Senate NDAA bills. Some Members continue to voice opposition to specific provisions but both chambers are expected to pass the final bill before the holiday break. President Biden issued a statement of support, urging its swift passage. The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities created an analysis document summarizing research security related provisions.
House passes DETERRENT Act to reform foreign gift reporting for U.S. institutions
On December 6, the House passed the DETERRENT Act (H.R. 5933) by a 246-170 bipartisan vote. The DETERRENT Act amends Section 117 of the Higher Education Act that requires institutions of higher education to disclose certain foreign gifts and contracts. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced a companion bill (S. 3362) in the Senate. UNC Federal Affairs will continue to engage with Senate offices and associations about specific provisions in the bill.
Senate committee advances bill to reauthorize Institute of Education Sciences
On December 12, the Senate HELP Committee advanced the bipartisan Advancing Research in Education Act (AREA) (S. 3392), which will reauthorize the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and make policy changes. The Committee released the bill text and a section-by-section summary. Among other provisions, AREA would authorize new research-practice partnership grants and require two separate application periods for grants, to the greatest extent practicable. It also would reauthorize the Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems program and expand program eligibility, authorize planning grants, and encourage individual-level data linkages from early childhood through postsecondary education, the workforce, labor market outcomes, and other data sources.