Federal Relations Update: October 2018 No Images? Click here October 12, 2018 A Federal Relations UpdateFor the first time in years, Congress finalized some spending bills before the start of a new fiscal year (FY). When FY 2019 began on October 1, five of the twelve federal appropriations bills had been signed into law by President Trump. While there are still seven bills remaining that Congress will consider after the midterm elections, those five bills represent about 75 percent of FY 2019 federal spending. Agencies funded by the remaining seven bills will continue operating under a continuing resolution through December 7. The House of Representatives has officially adjourned until after Election Day. The House will reconvene on November 13. Last night, Senate Democrats accepted an offer from Republicans to confirm a package of 15 judicial nominees so senators can also leave Washington to hit the campaign trail full time. Below is a chart showing which bills have been signed into law and those that remain. Unfinished bills include Homeland Security, Commerce-Justice-Science and State-Foreign Operations. They have not been considered on either the House or Senate floor. Their progress has been stymied by President Trump’s insistence that one includes money for a wall on the southern border. Below are highlights of the FY 2019 funding bills of interest to the campus community that have been signed into law. **The Administration proposed to eliminate the NEH again this year, however, the FY 2019 House and Senate Interior appropriations bills each include $155 million for NEH. **The Administration proposed to eliminate the NEA again this year, however, the FY 2019 House and Senate Interior appropriations bills each include $155 million for NEA. Despite committee passage of a Higher Education Act reauthorization bill late last year, the full House of Representatives did not have a sufficient number of votes to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. A companion measure was never introduced in the Senate. It is likely that Congress will make another attempt to update this important law in the next Congress beginning next year. UW–Madison will continue to ask lawmakers to support policies to ensure public research universities remain accessible, affordable, and continue to offer world-class quality education. Other unfinished business includes a reauthorization of the Farm Bill, which expired October 1. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-Texas) and Senate Agriculture Committee ranking member Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) continue at loggerheads as they discuss farm subsidies, jeopardizing passage of a farm bill. Lawmakers on the House and Senate Agriculture Committees will pick up these negotiations in November as well. As always, if you have any questions or if you would like additional information, please feel free to contact either the director of Federal Relations, Mike Lenn, or the associate director, Carina Marquez. |