Introduction by Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A.
Dear Colleagues,
In March, President Trump signed an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “facilitate the closure” of the Department of Education and shift authority back to states and local communities.
On Tuesday, the Department announced that several of its programs and offices will be transferred to other federal agencies — namely the Departments of Labor, Interior, Health and Human Services, and State. However, the core student financial aid programs will remain within the Department of Education (see story for more details).
In other news, congressional leadership is figuring out how to move forward with federal funding before the current continuing resolution for most federal operations expires on January 30. The House and Senate have not passed the same bills and have not agreed to a top line total spending amount, but what can pass the Senate with bipartisan support is what ultimately matters. While the federal government will remain funded through January 30, lawmakers will have to take legislative action to fund the government beyond that date lest they initiate another government shutdown.
The Senate’s approach to funding the government maintains current funding levels for the federal student aid programs, which NAICU strongly supports when compared to the House’s approach. The House bill eliminates Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) and includes steep cuts to Federal Work-Study. Please continue to let your congressional delegation know how important Pell Grants, SEOG, and work-study are to your students.
NAICU-CIC New Presidents Webinar. NAICU and the Council of Independent Colleges are partnering on a first-of-its-kind webinar [Register] for new college presidents. The webinar is intended for first-time presidents who started on or after July 1, 2024. The webinar will help new presidents understand the vital role they play in affecting federal higher education policy. Attendees will hear from peers and NAICU policy experts about how to become an effective advocate and learn about the most pressing federal issues facing private, nonprofit higher education.
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Amicus Brief Filed in NIH Research Case. NAICU, along with other higher education associations, signed onto an amicus brief opposing the Trump Administration’s effort to transfer litigation involving a challenge to National Institutes of Health research grant terminations from the district court to the Court of Federal Claims. The district court declared the guidance and grant terminations unlawful and vacated both in a decision upheld by an appellate court. However, a complicated procedural ruling by the Supreme Court has prolonged the legal wrangling over which court is the appropriate venue to hear the case.
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, Washington Update will not publish next week. I hope you have a safe, healthy, and restful break with friends and family.
Regards,
Barbara
Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A.
President, NAICU
For more information, please contact:
Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A.