Stuff in the News: Pell Grants, Mark Costello, Defense Contracting, Immigration Judges, Climate Change

U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced S.1998, the Middle Class Creating Higher Education Affordability Necessary to Compete Economically (CHANCE) Act, a bill to increase access to affordable post-secondary education for low- to moderate-income students. The bill would address the significant loss in value of Pell Grants by adjusting them for inflation, reinstate year-round Pell Grants, and increase the number of eligible semesters to 15. According to the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association and the College Board, the burden of paying for college has shifted to students as tuition continues to increase and state funding continues to decrease. Nearly 9 million students across the country depend on Pell Grants to pay for school.

Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Mark Costello died this week. "Mark Costello was a true servant to the state of Oklahoma and considered to be an up-and-coming leader in our state. He passionately worked to represent conservative values not only as Labor Commissioner, but also in other areas, such as his work to give a voice to the unborn through the pro-life movement. His presence in the state will be missed. Kay's and my prayers are with his family during this difficult time," stated Senator James M. Inhofe - (R - OK)

The Department of Defense announced Tuesday that Oshkosh Defense, based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has won the contract for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), its Humvee replacement. "These new vehicles will provide improved durability to protect our men and women in uniform while maintaining the mobility they need," said Senator Ron Johnson- (R - WI)

The Los Angeles Times recently reported that the shortage in immigration judges and the backlog of immigration-related cases may intensify as more than half of today’s judges are eligible to retire this fiscal year while other judges are burning-out faster under a growing number of cases. “Despite this clear crisis, Senate Democrats led by Minority Leader Harry Reid continue to block meaningful legislation that would enable us to hire new immigration judges that are critically needed today. In fact, the Minority Leader has continued to hold hostage the Senate Commerce, Justice & Science Appropriations Bill, and all other appropriations bills, which would include a programmatic increase of $60 million and add 55 new Immigration Judge Teams. This increase would allow the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review to better coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security to more effectively enforce immigration laws and help adjudicate the rapidly growing caseload. It is simply irresponsible for Democrats to hold up this commonsense solution that would provide our justice system the resources it needs to speed up deportation proceedings and keep our communities safe,” said Senator John McCain - (R - AZ).

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski sent a letter to President Obama, urging him to broaden the agenda of his upcoming trip to Alaska beyond the single issue of climate change. In the attached letter, Murkowski asks the President to acknowledge that climate change is only one part of the Alaska story, while detailing a number of investments Alaskans have made with renewable energy and innovative energy technologies.