April 2021 Government & Community Relations Update
Oregon gains additional seat in U.S. House of Representatives
On Monday, April 26, the U.S. Census Bureau released figures indicating that the state of Oregon’s population has expanded over the last decade enough to give it an additional congressional district for the first time in 40 years, increasing Oregon’s seats in the U.S. House of Representatives from five to six.
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Next election is May 18, deadline to register is April 27
The deadline to register to vote in the May 18, 2021 Special Election in Oregon is Tuesday, April 27 at 11:59 pm.The ballot will include candidates for local school board races, community college board races, park, fire, and water district boards, and county-wide ballot initiatives. UO Government & Community Relations asks you to check your registration and make a plan to vote.
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Biden FY22 skinny budget proposal includes increases for the Pell Grant, education and health spending
On April 9, President Joe Biden sent a letter to congressional leadership outlining his request for FY22 discretionary spending. The “skinny budget” includes investments in public health, the economy, the climate crisis, advancing equity, restoring America’s global standing and confronting 21st century security challenges. A formal budget request is expected in May.
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White House releases $2.25 trillion American jobs plan
On March 31, the White House released a framework for a $2.25 trillion, eight-year infrastructure package that aims to improve the nation’s transportation, renewable energy, and manufacturing infrastructure, including significant funding for scientific research.
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Higher ed associations release key immigration priorities
In March the Association of American Universities (AAU), the American Council on Education (ACE), the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU). and nine other higher education associations compiled a list of key immigration priorities.
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NSF reauthorization bill introduced in the US House
On March 26, the National Science Foundation for the Future Act was introduced in the US House of Representatives by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
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US House passes bill that would provide permanent protections for Dreamers and DACA recipients
On March 18, the US House of Representatives passed H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 on a vote of 228 to 197. Nine Republicans joined all Democrat members in support of the bill.
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UO asks Congress for $700 million for IES in FY22
The University of Oregon signed on to a March 23 letter to the leadership of the US House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies encouraging the committee to appropriate at least $700 million fo
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UO joins 1,200 organizations in urging Congress to double the Pell
The University of Oregon signed on to a letter, dated March 25, to all members of Congress asking them to double the amount of the maximum Pell Grant to approximately $13,000.
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Bonamici joins colleagues in reintroducing College Transparency Act
Last month Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) joined US House of Representatives and US Senate colleagues in reintroducing the C
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