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Good morning,

The goal of this email is to provide a regular source of useful information to staff and faculty of the �������� System regarding the federal government and higher education. We have put together a list of news articles that will keep you informed of the actions taken by the executive, legislative, and judicial branch of government. These articles are meant to be informative and are not a reflection of the views or stance of the system regarding these issues.  

If you would like more information regarding any of the stories we share, or if you have any suggestions, please feel free to contact Dusty Schnieders schniedersd@umsystem.edu and/or Emily Lucas el59bz@umsystem.edu.

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Capitol Hill News

& – June 12, 2025

The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a $9.4 billion rescission package by a 214–212 vote, reclaiming previously approved funding—primarily $8.3 billion allocated to foreign aid and $1.1 billion earmarked for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports NPR and PBS. Republicans argue it promotes fiscal discipline by redirecting borrowed money. Democrats and public health advocates counter that slashing global health programs—like PEPFAR, credited with saving 26 million lives—along with cuts to rural broadcasters will have devastating consequences. The package now faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where it requires a simple majority before a July 18 deadline; left unpassed, the rescission will expire, preserving existing spending.

Inside Higher Ed – June 12, 2025

The Senate’s newly released higher education bill offers a more moderate approach than the House-passed version, scaling back several controversial provisions. Unlike the House proposal, which would tighten Pell Grant eligibility by raising the minimum full-time credit load to 15 hours and cutting aid for part-time students, the Senate preserves current Pell eligibility rules. It also abandons the House’s strict risk-sharing plan—which would have required colleges to repay the government for unpaid student loans—in favor of an accountability model based on post-graduation earnings, similar to the Biden-era gainful employment rule. While both bills seek to cap graduate and Parent PLUS loan borrowing, the Senate retains subsidized undergraduate loans, which the House proposed eliminating. Additionally, the Senate protects veterans from losing key education benefits and avoids rolling back federal regulations that support transparency in college costs. Higher education advocates generally praised the Senate’s version as a more balanced framework, though concerns remain over loan caps and long-term affordability. Negotiations between chambers are expected to continue ahead of the July 4 legislative deadline. APLU comparison of the House and Senate reconciliation text .  

& – June 11–12, 2025

The House Appropriations Committee held full committee and subcommittee markups for the FY 2026 Defense Appropriations Bill, maintaining a topline of $831.5 billion, flat to FY 2025 levels, with additional funding anticipated via reconciliation measures pushing total defense spending above $1 trillion. The draft plan significantly accelerates acquisition programs by authorizing 69 F‑35 fighters, 15 KC‑46 tankers, 3 F‑15EXs, $3.8 billion for the B‑21 Raider stealth bomber, and several naval aircraft (including 4 E‑2D Hawkeyes and 19 CH‑53K helicopters). Shipbuilding receives a major boost as well, with funding for 28 naval vessels, including 2 Virginia-class submarines, continued support for Columbia-class subs, and new destroyers, refueling, rescue, and surveillance ships . Additionally, the bill sets aside approximately $13 billion for missile defense, supports Space Force missile warning and tracking capabilities, and allocates over $2.6 billion for hypersonic programs. A 3.8% pay raise for military personnel beginning January 1, 2026, along with targeted Quality-of-Life savings. While Republicans emphasize modernization, innovation, and warfighter support, some Democrats raised concerns about process, civilian workforce reductions, and cuts to Ukraine aid and military health programs.

House Committee on Energy and Commerce – June 10, 2025

House Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) and Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Chairman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) released a discussion draft to stabilize the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) marketplace and strengthen college athletics. This draft is part of a coordinated multi-committee effort to improve the student-athlete experience and preserve the educational mission of the institutions they represent. The draft aims to address challenges facing college athletics by providing a national framework that ensures fairness, consistency, and opportunity for student-athletes. It emphasizes empowering student-athletes to benefit from their own NIL without compromising their academic mission or reclassifying them as employees. The discussion draft is a part of a broader legislative effort involving the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Judiciary, and Education and Workforce to establish a comprehensive national framework for NIL. This initiative follows the recent approval of the House v. NCAA settlement, which allows athletes to receive $2.8 billion in back damages, participate in revenue-sharing, and retain their NIL rights. Discussion draft,. 

U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt Press Release – June 9, 2025

U.S. Senators Eric Schmitt (R‑MO) and John Hickenlooper (D‑CO) introduced the bipartisan Defense Technology Hubs Act, aiming to accelerate defense innovation and job creation by establishing DoD-designated tech hubs across ten regions—including Missouri and Colorado. The hubs will support regional consortia with expertise in geospatial intelligence, AI, and data fusion, and must include anchor defense institutions or military installations. To avoid duplication, the bill requires coordination with existing innovation programs such as DIU, DARPA, and NSF regional engines, and bars foreign entities of concern. Authorized at $375 million from FY 2026–2030 with a required 1:1 cost-share arrangement, the legislation is designed to enhance U.S. defense production capacity, accelerate technology development, and strengthen the industrial base in strategically important regions. Click to read the full legislation. 

House Appropriations – May 21, 2025

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) released the markup schedule for Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills. This schedule is subject to change. An official notice for each markup will be sent in accordance to the Committee's rules.

Friday, June 12, 2025 

• Full Committee Markup:  
  • 12:00 p.m. – Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Bill 

Monday, June 23, 2025 

• Subcommittee Markup:
  • 5:30 p.m. – Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill

Thursday, June 26, 2025 

• Full Committee Markup:  
  • 10:00 a.m. – Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill, Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Services and General Government Bill

Monday, July 7, 2025 

• Subcommittee Markup:
  • 5:30 p.m. – Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bill
  • 6:00 p.m. – Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bill 

Thursday, July 10, 2025 

• Full Committee Markup:  
  • 10:00 a.m. – Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bill, Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bill

Monday, July 14, 2025 

• Subcommittee Markup:
  • 6:00 p.m. – Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Bill 

Thursday, July 17, 2025 

• Full Committee Markup:  
  • 10:00 a.m. – Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Bill 

Monday, July 21, 2025 

• Subcommittee Markup:
  • 5:00 p.m. – Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill

Thursday, July 24, 2025 

• Full Committee Markup:  
  • 10:00 a.m. – Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill

Federal News

AP – June 11, 2025

President Donald Trump announced that China has agreed to make it easier for American industries to access rare earth minerals and magnets critical for technology and defense, paving the way for ongoing trade talks between the two largest economies. In exchange, the U.S. agreed to halt efforts to revoke visas for Chinese nationals studying on American college campuses. Although Trump described the agreement as a “deal,” officials clarified it is a preliminary framework designed to facilitate further negotiations. Trump’s social media comments about tariffs caused confusion, claiming the U.S. would impose a total of 55% tariffs on Chinese imports, compared to China’s 10%, but a White House official explained this figure includes existing tariffs from previous trade measures rather than a new increase. The announcement reflects continued complexity and uncertainty in U.S.-China trade relations involving critical supply chains.

White House Fact Sheet – June 6, 2025

President Trump signed an Executive Order directing the FAA to lift the 52-year ban on supersonic flight over U.S. land within 180 days and establish interim noise-certification standards. The order mandates immediate repeal of outdated regulations and requires the FAA to propose new rules for both noise and sonic-boom limits within 18 months. The goal is to reignite American leadership in high-speed commercial aviation, foster innovation, and stimulate economic growth in aerospace technologies.

White House Fact Sheet – June 6, 2025

President Trump issued an Executive Order to cement U.S. leadership in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) by directing the FAA to enable routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations and accelerate the commercialization and export of American-made drones. The order focuses on removing regulatory hurdles, prioritizing U.S.-manufactured drones in federal procurement, strengthening domestic supply chains, and supporting public safety and security applications

White House Fact Sheet – June 6, 2025

President Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at ensuring the sovereignty and security of U.S. airspace by establishing a federal task force to address unauthorized drone activity. The order calls for deployment of counter-UAS systems, designation of restricted airspace around critical infrastructure and large events, and enhanced coordination among federal, state, and local authorities to detect and mitigate drone-related threats.

2025 Congressional Calendar