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Veterans toxic exposure bill delayed as cloture attempt rejected
Roll Call – July 27, 2022
An effort to give millions of veterans easier access to health and disability benefits suffered another surprising setback Wednesday on the Senate floor when supporters couldn’t muster the 60 votes needed to limit debate. The 55-42 procedural vote on cloture derailed, at least temporarily. Some conservatives have raised objections to the bill because it would reclassify nearly $400 billion in current-law VA spending from discretionary to mandatory accounts, thereby potentially freeing up more budget authority to increase discretionary spending on other domestic programs.
What's in the Manchin-Schumer deal
Politico – July 27, 2022
Sen. Joe Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer clinched an unexpected deal on a bill that includes energy, health and tax policy, potentially moving forward their party’s stalled agenda ahead of the November midterms. The deal, coined “The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022,” would “fight inflation, invest in domestic energy production and manufacturing, and reduce carbon emissions by roughly 40 percent by 2030,” Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Schumer said in a statement. The Democrats said the legislation, which they project would reduce the deficit by $300 billion, would be brought to the Senate floor next week.
Congress sends chip funding bill to Biden's desk
Axios – July 28, 2022
The House of Representatives voted 243-187 Thursday to pass a $280 billion package for the domestic chip-making industry and scientific research, sending the long-awaited legislation to President Biden's desk. The bill is meant to boost the manufacturing of essential computer chips on U.S. soil to prevent future supply chain crises and bolster competition with China.
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Lobbying ramps up around new health agency headquarters
Roll Call – July 28, 2022
At least 10 states are vying to host a new agency tasked with speeding to market innovative technologies for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s. Congressional delegations have organized letters outlining the benefits of their districts to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and acting ARPA-H Deputy Director Adam Russell. The campaigns have created strange partnerships across the ideological spectrum, like conservative Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and progressive Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo.
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Congress Eyes Income-Share Agreement Reform, Again
Inside Higher Ed – July 28, 2022
The bipartisan bill would create new guardrails for income-share agreements used in higher education programs and is supported by ISA providers. Critics, however, view ISAs as a predatory form of financial aid and a bad solution to making college affordable.
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