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University of Michigan

Federal Relations

Michael A. Waring directs the University of Michigan's Washington, D.C. office. Located three blocks south of the Capitol, it serves as a liaison between the University and the federal government, public policy makers and national organizations to provide national leadership in matters affecting higher education and research.

The Washington, D.C. Staff directly serves University faculty, staff and students, as well as members of Congress and federal government offices and agencies.

Activities include monitoring legislation of interest to universities; facilitating congressional or federal appointments; issuing briefings for faculty and administrators; providing office space for University people on business in Washington; and serving as a clearinghouse for information on government activities, places, people and employment opportunities.

Congressional inquiries are handled concerning the University's academic and research activities and its views on pending legislation.

Michigan Congressional Delegation

University of Michigan Alumni Serving in Congress

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The Federal Report

      April 2008

Reporting about several issues being tracked by the U-M Federal Relations team:

EFFORTS TO SECURE SCIENCE FUNDING IN SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL UNDERWAY

In order to make up for research funding that was cut from the FY '08 appropriations in December, numerous science advocates and some key lawmakers are pushing for Congress and the President to include additional research money in a supplemental appropriations bill that Congress will soon consider.

The supplemental is needed to continue providing funds for the troops fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  However, congressional leaders want to use the legislation as a vehicle to increase spending this year on some domestic programs as well, and science is on that list of programs.  Specifically, lawmakers and the President have been urged by U-M and numerous others to provide more funding to prevent layoffs at key Department of Energy labs where many university researchers do some of their work, as well as additional funds for the National Science Foundation.  Some of the funds would also go toward the American share of the ITER project, which is an international consortium working on high-energy physics, which so far has received none of the $100 million owed by the United States.

It is expected that no action on funding for FY '09 appropriations will be considered until the supplemental legislation is resolved.

COLEMAN URGES STRONG SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH FUNDING

U-M President Mary Sue Coleman joined a group of advocates in Washington earlier this month to urge Democratic senators to support increases for research funding broadly, and at the National Institutes of Health in particular.  Both Michigan Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin attended the meeting, which was hosted by the Democratic Steering Committee, which Stabenow chairs.

As part of a delegation of presidents, provosts and researchers from institutions belonging to The Science Coalition, Coleman reminded the senators that young researchers in particular may fall through the cracks unless additional resources can be provided to keep them working.    She also addressed the media afterward and spoke to a media roundtable later in the day about the need for federal basic research funds to increase across the board.

The Science Coalition is a group of about 50 research universities, including U-M.  Its goal is to advocate for a greater investment in research at universities by the federal government via the media and through direct interaction with key lawmakers.  A similar meeting with Republican senators was held by other members of the coalition later in the month.

U-M CONGRESSIONAL BREAKFAST A SUCCESS

Over 300 alumni, members of Congress and staff, Michigan corporate supporters and other friends of the University attended the annual University of Michigan Congressional Breakfast on March 5th in Washington.

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Brighton) was the keynote speaker, with U-M Provost Teresa Sullivan pinch-hitting for President Mary Sue Coleman, who was out of the country. The event celebrates the University’s role in education and research in front of a Washington audience.

In addition, the breakfast helped raise nearly $40,000 for scholarships to DC area students who attend the University, and was co-sponsored by U-M and the U-M Club of Greater Washington.

University of Michigan Washington Office Mike Waring, Executive Director of Federal Relations and Director, DC Office. Cindy Bank, Assistant Director. Sarah Walkling, Director of Federal Relations for Research. Marlene Andersen, Office Manager. 202-554-0578 (phone) 202-554-0582 (fax) 499 S. Capitol Street, SW, #501 Washington, DC 20003