UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH for UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
What was lobbied
9 issue areas, each in the filer's own words, with who lobbied on it and where.
Manufacturing MAN
In support of H.R. 2996, the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2013 (RAMI) as included in H.R. 83 - Consolidated and Further Contiuning Approprations Act of 2015 (P.L.113-235). In support of S.2719 - Manufacturing Universities Act of 2014. Generally supportive of federal initiatives related to Advanced Manufacturing
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| KENNETH MICHAEL LYNCH | Associate Director for Federal Relations |
Defense DEF
In support of collaboration between Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration on research related to the diagnosis and treatment of TBI, PTSD, transplantation, tissue/organ regeneration, prosthetics and other medical issues facing active and retired members of the armed forces. In support of increased funding for health related R&D in all branches of the military. In support of university based military medicine related research. In support of BRAIN Research Initiative. Defense Appropriations Act Title IV - In support of increased funding for Defense Science and Technology, and Basic and Applied Research in all services; funding for Department of Defense Injury Prevention and Performance Optimization Research Initiative in all services. Title VI - In support of funding for Defense Health Related research in all services including TBI and PTSD research. In support of increasing DoDs core medical research budget, DARPA and Congressionally-directed medical research funding program.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| KENNETH MICHAEL LYNCH | Associate Director for Federal Relations |
Copyright/Patent/Trademark CPT
In support of provisions that would address abusive patent practices on university technology transfer programs and policies, especially changes contained in the Innovation Act (HR 1339), the Patent Transparency and Improvements Act of 2013 (S. 1720), as well as H.R. 2209 and S. 1720. Opposed to proposals that would undermine the ability of legitimate patent holders to enforce their patent rights and impair university technology transfer operations.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| KENNETH MICHAEL LYNCH | Associate Director for Federal Relations |
Health Issues HCR
In support of Title VII and Title VIII funding in HHS appropriations. In support of the replacement of automatic spending reductions known as sequestration because of the harm it would do the biomedical research at the university funded by NIH. Demonstrated how declining federal support for medical research will prevent future breakthroughs and discourage potential researchers from entering the field. Argued that decline in NIH support would disproportionately impact the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In support of H.R. 3336, Inspiring Scientific Research and Innovation Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2014. In support of draft/concept legislation Invest for a Healthy Future Act which would mandate annual increases in federal biomedical research funding. In support of S. 2115: American Cures Act In support of the Administrations BRAIN Research Initiative. In support of S. 2658 the Accelerating Biomedical Research Act which allows for an increase in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, offset by adjusting the discretionary budget caps mandated by the Budget Control Act
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| KENNETH MICHAEL LYNCH | Associate Director for Federal Relations |
Budget/Appropriations BUD
In support of H.R.83 - Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (P.L. 113-235) and included funding increases for the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and Department of Defense Research. In support of amending the caps on discretionary spending imposed by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (P.L. # 112-25) which disproportionately harms programs including academic research and federal student aid. In favor a balanced agreement to prevent budget sequestration, reduce deficit, and create jobs and economic growth. Defense Appropriations Act Title IV - In support of increased funding for Defense Science and Technology, and Basic and Applied Research in all services; funding for Department of Defense Injury Prevention and Performance Optimization Research Initiative in all services. Title VI In support of funding for Defense Health Related research in all services including TBI and PTSD research. Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Act Dept. of Education increased funding for student financial aid; higher education aid for disadvantaged students including Pell Grants, subsidized student loans and federal work study programs. Department of Education Appropriation -- increased funding for student financial aid; education research; graduate education; and higher education programs for disadvantaged students including Pell Grants. Dept of Health and Human Services Title II increased funding for National Institutes of Health (NIH) extramural research programs.In support of Title VII and Title VIII funding. Commerce Justice and Science Appropriations Act advocated for increased funding for National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and NASA related research. Energy and Water Appropriations Act Advocated for increased funding for the Office of Science, Fossil Energy Research, Nuclear Energy Research and the ARPA-E program. Continued support for the National Energy Technology Laboratories (NETL). Military Construction,Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act increased funding for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) under Title II including funding for VHA Medical and Prosthetic Research including transplantation, TBI and PTSD related research.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| KENNETH MICHAEL LYNCH | Associate Director for Federal Relations |
Energy/Nuclear ENG
Fossil Energy Appropriations. In support of increased funding for the Department of Energy Fossil Energy (FE) budget and support for Oil and Natural Gas Technologies R&D Support for nuclear energy, energy delivery and reliability and critical materials research. Funding for Fossil Energy Program supports the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) program. Specific activities include Carbon Capture, Carbon Storage, Advanced Energy Systems, and Crosscutting Research. Support for federal research initiatives related to electrical grid technology and reliability (SMART Grid Research) within Department of Energy and NETL. In support of H.R.4553 - Fossil Energy Encouragement and Accountability Act of 2014 which would authorize FY2015 appropriations for coal, natural gas, and oil research and development. The bill would also prevent the closure or consolidation of NETL facilities.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| KENNETH MICHAEL LYNCH | Associate Director for Federal Relations |
Education EDU
In support of adequate funding for student financial aid; education research; graduate education; and higher education programs for disadvantaged students including Pell Grants and Federal Work Study. In support of a Higher Education Act Reauthorization act that achieves those goals while limiting additional regulatory burdens. S. 2692/H.R. 5354 Campus Safety and Accountability Act (CASA), and other campus sexual assault prevention legislation. In support of legislation that addresses the serious problem of campus sexual assault, protects survivors of sexual assault, and recognizes the appropriate role of law enforcement agencies and university administrators.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| KENNETH MICHAEL LYNCH | Associate Director for Federal Relations |
Homeland Security HOM
On the issue of cybersecurity generally - in favor of increased coordination between the federal government, industry and academic organizations in efforts to detect and deter cyber threats. In favor of increased federal investment in research into cyber terrorism defense capabilities. National Cybersecurity Protection Act of 2014 and (P.L. 113-282) as it relates to coordination between government, industry and academic organizations.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| KENNETH MICHAEL LYNCH | Associate Director for Federal Relations |
Science/Technology SCI
In support of passing an America COMPETES Act reauthorization bill that calls for real and sustained growth in funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST), Department of Energy Office of Science, and the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E). In support of America COMPETES Act (S. 2757). In support of STEM education programs at the K-12 and post-secondary level. In opposition to HR 4186, FIRST Act Frontiers in Innovation, Research, Science and Technology Act because of inadequate authorization levels and changes. In opposition to any legislation that places undue restrictions on federally funded Social/Behavior/Economic research. In support of S. 2551 TRANSFER Act and other efforts that would accelerate the commercialization of federally funded research being conducted at universities, federal laboratories, and other non-profit research organizations.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| KENNETH MICHAEL LYNCH | Associate Director for Federal Relations |
Shown as published by the Senate Office of Public Records and the House Clerk under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. The official filing is the record; open it for the full form.