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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 ÎçÒ¹Ó°Ôº 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

Lee Introduces Bill Targeting Wealthy University Subsidies
Senator Mike Lee Press Release – May 2, 2024
Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the No Subsidies for Wealthy Universities Act, a new bill to address the misuse of taxpayer dollars in higher education. The bill targets institutions that perpetuate administrative bloat and advance ideological agendas under the guise of education. Its introduction comes in response to the disturbing wave of violence and anti-Semitic rhetoric that has swept across college campuses. .
 

Congressmen Russell Fry Press Release – May 8, 2024
Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07) and Congressman Barry Moore (AL-02) introduced the Protect the Benefits for Athletes and Limit Liability (Protect the BALL) Act. This legislation addresses the onslaught of litigation universities and conferences face relating to student-athletes' ability to receive compensation based on their name, image, and likeness (NIL). This language provides a legal safe harbor for universities, conferences, and the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) to allow them to provide new benefits for student-athletes, establish and enforce rules, and comply with the law without the constant risk of costly litigation. . 
 

House Committee on Natural Resources – May 8, 2024
The bill reverts the industry standards before a . This allows mining companies to conduct mining support operations on federal lands. 

H.R. 2925, the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act of 2023, introduced by U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.), would codify and clarify longstanding precedent regarding mining permitting on federal lands. The bill responds to the Ninth Circuit's decision on the Rosemont Copper Mine that upended 40 years of mining regulatory precedent and impacted mining projects across western states, impeding U.S. ability to access mineral resources critical for supply chain and national security.

Federal News

Department of Energy – May 9, 2024
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $160 million to advance American leadership in semiconductor innovation by implementing a key provision in the historic CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. This funding will support the formation of Microelectronics Science Research Centers (MSRCs) focused on energy efficiency and extreme environments.

National Institute of Standards and Technology – 06 May 2024
The CHIPS for America program: issued a seeking proposals from eligible applicants for activities to establish and operate a CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute focused on digital twins for the semiconductor industry. The program anticipates up to $285 million for the institute which will manage a portfolio of institute-led projects and competitively funded member-led projects, including Education and Workforce Development activities.

Important Dates

The Senate Appropriations Committee published guidance on programmatic and language requests and submission deadlines for FY25 appropriations. Submission deadlines for bills are below:

• Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies—May 8, 2024
• Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies—May 9, 2024
• Defense (not accepting CDS requests)—May 10, 2024
• Energy and Water Development—May 10, 2024
• State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs—May 13, 2024
• Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies—May 15, 2024

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) recently released guidance for Fiscal Year 2025 Community Project Funding requests and deadlines for all Fiscal Year 2025 Member requests. Submission deadlines for bills are below:

• Programmatic and language requests – May 3, 2024
• Community Project Funding requests for the Agriculture; Energy and Water; Homeland Security; and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Subcommittees are due by 11:59 p.m. on May 3rd. 
• Community Project Funding requests for the Commerce, Justice, Science; Interior and the Environment; and Transportation-Housing Subcommittees will now be due by 11:59 p.m. on May 10th.