1. Bryan Dickson Senior Policy Analyst NACUBO#2
Washington Update
Ohio Bursars Association Spring Conference
April 5, 2018
Columbus, Ohio
Bryan Dickson Senior Policy Analyst NACUBO

2. Policy Priorities
Which policy areas should be a priority for Trump and Congress?
Pew Research Center January 10-15, 2018
Sources: “Economic issues decline among public’s policy priorities,” Pew Research Center, January 25, 2018.
January 29, |

3. House Caucus Breakdown
Freedom Caucus
Median Republicans
Tuesday Group
Progressive Caucus
Median Democrats
Blue Dog Coalition
Total Republicans*
238
Tuesday Group**
~52
Freedom Caucus**
~36
Total Democrats*
193
Blue Dog Coalition 18
New Democrat Coalition 61
Progressive Caucus 75
Vacancies 4
216 Votes Needed to Pass
*The individual caucuses do not add up to the total number as some House members are in multiple caucuses or no ideological caucus.
**The House Republican caucuses do not publicly release lists of members. Estimates come from news reports.

4. 60 Votes for Supermajority
Republican Senate Factions
Centrists
60 Votes for Supermajority
50 Votes for Majority
Conservatives
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Due Process
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS)
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)
Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR)
Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN)
Sources: National Journal Research, 2017.
March 2, | Daniel Stublen

5. ■ Republican held seats (239) ■ Democrat held seats (193)
Cook Political Report Ratings for 2018 House Races
■ Republican held seats (239) ■ Democrat held seats (193)
Source: Cook Political Report.

6. ■ Republican held seats (8) ■ Democrat/Independent held seats (26)
Cook Political Report Ratings for 2018 Senate Races
■ Republican held seats (8) ■ Democrat/Independent held seats (26)
* Includes independent Angus King (ME) who caucuses with the Democrats
** Includes independent Bernie Sanders (VT) who caucuses with the Democrats
Sources: Cook Political Report, 2017.

7. End of the Shutdown Cycle!
Congress passed sweeping budget deal and stopgap spending package on Feb 9
Raised caps on both discretionary and non-discretionary spending
Promised additional $4 billion for higher education over the next 2 years for “student-centered programs that aid college completion and affordability”
Increased NIH funding by $2 billion
BUT no agreement on DACA

8. Key Provisions of the Budget Deal
Increases defense discretionary spending cap by $80 billion in FY18 and $85 billion in FY19
Fully repeals sequestration for nondefense spending
Extends CHIP funding for four years and reauthorizes community health centers for two years
Funds government through March to give Congress time to deal with appropriations
Allocates $20 billion to infrastructure spending
Provides $90 billion in emergency funding for Puerto Rico, Florida and Texas
Provides $4 billion over two years to address claims at Veterans Affairs
Authorizes $6 billion over two years to address the opioid crisis
Suspends debt ceiling until March 1, 2019

9. Key Dates February – June 2018 Federal Fiscal Year
March
April
May
June
July
President’s budget request
Debt limit deadline
DACA benefits begin to expire (if not for injunction)
Omnibus bill passed
Congress traditionally completes action on the concurrent resolution
Opioid crisis’ status as public emergency expires
Annual appropriation bills may be considered in the House
Congress in recess 7/2-7/6
Federal Fiscal Year
October 1 – September 30
FY18 Appropriations = Award Year for Federal Student Aid
FY19 Appropriations = Award Year for Federal Student Aid
Continuing resolutions keeps the federal government operating at existing budget levels.

10. Overview of the FY18 Omnibus Bill
IN BILLIONS OF DOLLARS
■ FY17 enacted level ■ FY18 request (Trump) ■ FY18 enacted level
Sources: Government Executive, 2018.