Introduction by Barbara K. Mistick

Dear Colleagues,

This week presented a bit of a respite from the budget reconciliation process, with Congress huddling behind closed doors to hash out details on its next steps. With the House Education & Workforce Committee having completed its work by marking up its bill to cut $351 billion in federal higher education programs last week, higher education policy watchers are now eyeing the House Ways & Means Committee for potential tax code changes.

NAICU is expecting potentially significant changes to the endowment tax, as well as the potential for additional cuts and changes to other institutional, student, and family higher education tax benefits. A committee markup in Ways & Means is expected to be scheduled for the week of May 12. 

With reconciliation in a holding pattern, the House Education & Workforce Committee held a hearing on alleged campus antisemitism this week. Further, President Trump announced his intention to interrogate and pull the tax-exempt status of every institution where antisemitism is deemed “out of control.” Despite prohibitions on the ability of the president to call for IRS investigations or audits, President Trump continues to talk openly about his desires for investigations into specific institutions of higher education.

Earlier this week, we hosted a webinar for NAICU members that provided details on the reconciliation process, our concerns, and our advocacy strategies, as well as an overview of the first 100 days of the Trump Administration (webinar recording and presentation slides).

Soundbites

• NAICU Neg-Reg Comment Letter & Testimony. NAICU submitted written comments [link] to the Department of Education on a wide range of issues related to the negotiated rulemaking session scheduled to convene later this year. The comments, which supplement NAICU’s oral testimony, focused on the need to streamline regulations, improve clarity around Public Service Loan Forgiveness and repayment plans, and to rescind or revise a variety of problematic or burdensome regulations.

• EO Issued on Religious Liberty. President Trump issued an executive order establishing a religious liberty commission to provide insight to the federal government about how it can better protect religious liberty. The commission, which will include representatives from educational institutions, is tasked with providing a comprehensive report on religious liberty in America and advising the White House on religious liberty policies. 

• F&A Webinars. A reminder that NAICU, as a member of the Joint Associations Group, is co-hosting webinars focused on seeking a legislative solution to the caps being placed on indirect costs for federally funded research. The second and final webinar will be held May 12, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. EDT (Register). Registration is required and capacity is limited. If your institution is concerned about recent attempts to cap facilities and administration indirect costs, please designate someone on campus to attend the webinar.

NAICU in the News

• NAICU President Barbara Mistick was quoted in The Chronicle of Higher Education’s reporting on the potential broader implications of the battle between the White House and Harvard University.

• The New York Times reported on a letter to the Trump Administration organized by the American Jewish Committee

• and co-signed by NAICU that urged the White House to alter its approach to combatting antisemitism on college campuses.

Finally, congratulations to the entire Villanova University campus community as they celebrate their alum, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, OSA, class of 1977, being elected Pope. He assumes the papacy under the name Pope Leo XIV and is the first American Pope. 

I hope you have a pleasant weekend,

Regards

Barbara

Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A.
President, NAICU

For more information, please contact:
Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A.