Defense Policy Bill Moves Through Congress
BU IN DC
Tuhina Neogi of the School of Medicine and the School of Public Health participated in an Axios briefing on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on chronic pain on July 22.
DEFENSE POLICY BILL MOVES THROUGH CONGRESS
This week, both chambers of Congress passed their respective versions of the National Defense Authorization Act, an annual bill that sets policy for the U.S. Department of Defense. The bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives includes a provision championed by Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D) and Seth Moulton (D) of Massachusetts that ensures international students can enter and remain in the U.S. for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency, regardless of their college’s instruction modality. The bill also would support defense research programs, create a special immigration category for individuals who plan to join the defense workforce, and establish a traineeship program to grow domestic science talent. The two chambers will work to negotiate a final bill this fall.
BUZZ BITS…
- The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Wednesday on “Protecting the Integrity of College Athletics.” Witnesses discussed issues ranging from athletes’ “name, image, and likeness” rights to betting on college sports, and Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) indicated he would like to introduce a bipartisan bill by September 15.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has selected Dr. Parag Chitnis to serve as acting director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the USDA’s research arm. Dr. Chitnis is a biologist who worked at the National Science Foundation prior to joining NIFA in 2014.
- The U.S. Senate confirmed Russell Vought as the next director of the White House Office of Management and Budget. Mr. Vought has led the agency, which oversees all federal budgets, in an interim capacity for over a year.
DOE SEEKING FEEDBACK ON ENERGY STORAGE
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a request for information on its recently released draft roadmap for its Energy Storage Grand Challenge. The agency is seeking feedback on five roadmap tracks: technology development, manufacturing and supply chain, technology transition, policy and valuation, and workforce development. DOE has also identified six use cases to use as a framework, including: facilitating an evolving grid; serving remote communities; electrified mobility; interdependent network infrastructure; critical services; and facility flexibility, efficiency, and value enhancement. Responses may be used to help shape future funding opportunities in this area, and will be accepted through August 21.