Good afternoon,
The goal of this email is to provide a regular source of useful information to staff and faculty of the University of Missouri 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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Athletics News
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing on Establishing NIL Protections for College Athletes
House Energy & Commerce Committee – January 18, 2024
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) held a subcommittee legislative hearing titled “NIL Playbook: Proposal to Protect Student Athletes' Dealmaking Rights.” Click here to watch the hearing. Despite the popularity of college athletics and reputation of student athletes, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) prohibited student athletes from receiving compensation for their NIL for decades. These prohibitions barred student athletes from earning compensation from activities such as endorsements, advertisements, and autograph signings. Following recent court cases and a change in NCAA policy, student athletes can now profit from their NIL, with some student athletes securing brand partnerships with companies like Amazon and State Farm. While the changes in NIL rules have provided massive upside for some student athletes, it has harmed others and started a race to the bottom as States compete to lower or reverse standards and win recruits. Instead of using NIL as a marketing tool, some wealthy boosters and collectives are allegedly using NIL as a pay-for-play scheme designed to advantage schools with more resources.
Capitol Hill News
Congress votes to avert a shutdown and keep the government funded through early March
PBS – January 18, 2024
Congress sent President Joe Biden a short-term spending bill on Thursday that would avert a looming partial government shutdown and fund federal agencies into March. The House approved the measure by a vote of 314-108, with opposition coming mostly from the more conservative members of the Republican conference.
Delegation News
Hawley Calls Out Big Tech Greed, Defends Americans' Right to Protect Themselves from Harmful AI
Josh Hawley US Senator for Missouri – January 17, 2024
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) highlighted his bipartisan legislation to put power in the hands of consumers and give Americans harmed by nascent AI technology their day in court to hold Big Tech companies accountable. In a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing, Senator Hawley called out the tech industry for focusing on profits while turning a blind eye to the dangers of AI—like chatbots that have successfully taunted users into committing suicide.
With U.S. Rep. Luetkemeyer retiring, 3rd District residents can expect a crowded GOP primary
STLPR – January 17, 2024
U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer threw a bit of a curve to Missouri’s already crowded primary season when he announced he wouldn’t run for another term. Luetkemeyer’s departure is setting up a potential crowded primary for the 3rd Congressional District, a swath of eastern and central Missouri that includes parts of Jefferson and St. Charles counties. While it’s unclear how many candidates could line up to run for Luetkemeyer's seat, a number of Republicans are thinking about getting into the contest, and one has already jumped in. State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, announced her bid shortly after Luetkemeyer’s announcement. Other candidates mulling a run include former state Sen. Bob Onder of St. Charles County, state Sen. Travis Fitzwater of Callaway County, former Boone County Clerk Taylor Burks and attorney Mark McCloskey. Some potential candidates, like state Sen. Nick Schroer, are waiting to see if Onder exits the lieutenant governor’s contest and runs for Congress instead. The only Democratic candidate so far running to succeed Luetkemeyer is Bethany Mann — who lost her bid for the 3rd District in 2022.
Important Dates
The third stopgap funding measure has two separate expiration dates for annual spending bills:
• Deadline #1 CR: Agriculture-Rural Development, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, Energy & Water, and Transportation-HUD are extended through March 1, 2024.
• Deadline #2: Commerce-Justice-Science, Defense, Financial Services & General Government, Homeland Security, Interior-Environment, Labor-HHS-Education, Legislative Branch, and State & Foreign Operations are extended through March 8, 2024.
Reviewed 2024-01-19