In Brief

White House Withdraws Interim Rule on F-1 and M-1 Student Visas
FY21 Appropriations
COVID Emergency Relief Package
Senate Democrats Release White Paper on COVID-19 Vaccine
Register for the 2020 Virtual Rally for Medical Research
Be a Part of BPS Advocacy 

White House Withdraws Interim Rule on F-1 and M-1 Student Visas – On July 6, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued an interim final rule that would require international students in the country using F-1 and M-1 non-immigrant visas to return to classes in-person full-time or as part of a hybrid in-person/online program or immediately depart the country. BPS, along with other scientific and academic institutions, actively objected to the surprise rule announcement given the continued pandemic and the impact it would have on maintaining the US as a STEM leader. Harvard and MIT immediately filed suit requesting an immediate injunction to prevent the rule. BPS joined with the American Physical Society (APS) and fourteen other organizations in an Amicus Brief in support of the Harvard/MIT lawsuit. Late on July 14, as the federal district court of Boston was about to convene a hearing on the suit, the White House announced that they were rescinding the rule. International students in the US with F-1 and M-1 visas will be allowed to continue taking classes online under the original exemption issued in March without risking a violation to their visa agreement.

FY21 Appropriations – On July 13, the House Appropriations Committee (HAC) approved the FY 2021 Labor-HHS bill. The committee adopted the Manager's amendment as well as an amendment offered by Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI) dealing with mental illness and insurance companies complying with federal law. The full committee also approved the Energy & Water bill.

HAC's work continues with the Defense, Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS), and Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD) bills and Homeland Security and Financial Services on this week. Labor-HHS Subcommittee Chair Rosa DeLauro told reporters last week that their goal is to hold floor votes by the end of July or early August, and added that the Senate is still a question mark when it comes to their timing on beginning their appropriations work.

COVID Emergency Relief Package – We are hearing that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell plans to release a draft of his COVID-19 relief package next week. As we have previously reported, the bill will provide expanded liability protections as well as address "kids and jobs." We are told that bipartisan negotiations will begin as soon as the bill is released.

Democrats continue to support the House-passed HEROES Act and plan to prioritize testing and contact tracing as they wait for McConnell's draft bill. In the meantime, Congressional committees are prioritizing their requests for the next relief package. The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committees are hoping to include their surprise medical billing legislation, but leadership has not yet provided their buy-in. According to our source, appropriators have also begun developing their list of priorities for the bill

To reach a deal on the relief package, Congress will need to resolve disputes on unemployment benefits and incentives for businesses to hire; a possible new version of a grant program for small businesses; some form of direct payments to individuals; and aid to states and local governments that includes funding to help schools reopen. Additionally, President Trump is still pushing for the inclusion of a payroll tax cut.

Senate Democrats Release White Paper on COVID-19 Vaccine – Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray released a white paper proposing safety and accessibility policies for a COVID-19 vaccine. The proposal requires action in eight key areas:

• Requiring the Administration to Develop and Implement a Comprehensive Strategic Plan;
• Providing $25 billion in Emergency Funding for Vaccines and Vaccination Activities;
• Ensuring COVID-19 Vaccines are Available at No Cost;
• Setting Rigorous Standards for Vaccine Development and Scientific Review;
• Scaling Vaccine Manufacturing and Preventing Supply Chain Challenges;
• Ensuring Equitable Distribution of Vaccines;
• Preparing for and Implementing Widespread Vaccine Administration; and
• Ensuring Post-Market Surveillance and Safety.

Register for the 2020 Virtual Rally for Medical Research – So far, 2020 has not been quite what any of us had anticipated and yet the spotlight on science, research and pandemic preparedness has never been more intense than it is right now. On September 16-17 the Rally for Medical Research is going virtual for the first time; meaning you can participate directly from your labs and home offices!

It is imperative that national STEM organizations and members use this opportunity to not only highlight how scientific research has helped overcome past pandemics, but also the role that it has in outlining our future preparedness for the next pandemic. Register now and join the Biophysical Society (BPS), along with more than 300 STEM organizations and professionals, to advocate for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding as a national priority and to raise awareness about the research it supports.

This year’s event will consist of a virtual reception on the evening of September 16  and meetings with elected officials will take place through teleconferences and webinars on September 17. All meetings will be arranged on your behalf with your elected officials.

Register now to ensure that Congress provides a long-term plan for scientific research funding.

Be a Part of BPS Advocacy – Did you know that the Biophysical Society (BPS) has multiple ways for you to get involved in advocacy that you can take part in from home or the lab? BPS advocates on a wide variety of issues important to biophysics and scientific research – from grant funding, to the federal budget, to climate change and beyond. To do this we need the expertise of our members to send letters to elected officials, write op-eds and letters to the editor of local newspapers and participate in (virtual) advocacy events. BPS is here to help make that participation as easy as possible and will help organize and guide you through the process. Learn more about BPS Advocacy at https://www.biophysics.org/policy-advocacy/take-action.