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Cornerstone Report from Washington Vol. 8, No. 2 – May 27, 2010
Woteki Confirmation Hearing; Appropriations Outlook
To Members of the APLU System: - Boards on Agriculture Assembly, Human Sciences, Natural Resources, and Veterinary Medicine - Budget and Advocacy Committee - Council on Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching - Council on Governmental Affairs (Aggies)
Woteki Confirmation Hearing
The
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a
short hearing this morning to consider the nomination of Dr.
Catherine E. Woteki to be USDA Under Secretary for Research,
Education, and Economics and Chief Scientist. The committee also
considered the nomination of Dr. Elisabeth Hagen to be USDA Under
Secretary for Food Safety. Committee members present included
Chairwoman Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Bob Casey (D-PA), Amy Klobuchar
(D-MN), and Richard Lugar (R-IN). After a brief oral statement, Dr.
Woteki had this exchange with Chairwoman Lincoln (paraphrased):
Lincoln: How do you see the future of capacity funds? Woteki:
The formula funds are very important to support land-grant
university infrastructure to meet global, national, and state/local
issues, provide a rapid response capability, and foster
multi-institute collaboration. I’m committed to maintaining capacity
funding. Lincoln: I agree, these funds are very important. We
must continue to find monies to enhance them. As you know from prior years, the House of Representatives often begins to act upon the annual appropriations bills prior to Memorial Day. This year, however, the appropriations process has slowed to a crawl and we are not even able to make a ballpark prediction as to when the regular F.Y. 2011 spending bills may begin to move. Congress is currently attempting to resolve the annual budget resolution that once completed, will allow the Appropriations Committees to formally begin the F.Y. 2011 process. Of course when we know more we will be back in touch with you directly.
Dear Colleague Letters
Three letters have been sent to the House and Senate Agriculture
Appropriations Subcommittee leadership in support of the land-grant
system’s F.Y. 2011 appropriations requests for the National
Institute of Food and Agriculture: (1) 18 members of the House
Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) signed a letter in support of 1890
land-grant university priorities; (2) 20 members of the Senate
signed a letter in support of all seven of the Budget and Advocacy
Committee’s F.Y. 2011 priorities; and (3) 28 members of the House
signed the letter in support of the BAC's seven priorities. Links to
these letters: Senate Letter: http://www.land-grant.org/docs/FY2011/Senate_2011_Final.pdf House Letter: Not Yet Available. (Check the web site in a day or two.)
The Cornerstone Team |