The DC Digest

Duke Government Relations

Duke in DC's Top News Today:

DHS Funding Vote Fails, Partial Shutdown Continues
Judge Denies Education Department Request for More Time to Consider Forgiving Student Loans
DOJ Sues University of California Over Antisemitism Allegation
Bipartisan Bill Filed to Reauthorize SBIR/STTR Programs
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The Highlights 📰

Budget & Appropriations

The latest coverage on Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations that are relevant to Duke.

Duke Government Relations' primer on the federal appropriations process.

DHS FUNDING VOTE FAILS, PARTIAL SHUTDOWN CONTINUES

Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked a procedural vote to advance a full‑year Department of Homeland Security funding bill, preventing it from reaching the 60 votes needed to proceed. The chamber voted 50-45, with one Democrat joining Republicans in support. The failed cloture vote ensures the DHS shutdown will continue as negotiations over the bill remain stalled.

DHS Vote

Student Aid, Institutional Support and Taxes

The latest updates regarding legislation and regulatory actions related to student aid, higher education institutional support, taxes and more.

NASFAA Student Aid Reference Desk

JUDGE DENIES EDUCATION DEPARTMENT REQUEST FOR MORE TIME TO CONSIDER FORGIVING STUDENT LOANS

A federal judge has rejected the Education Department’s request for an additional 18 months to decide on borrower‑defense applications from thousands of students seeking loan forgiveness due to alleged institutional fraud. The court had previously ordered the Department to issue approval decisions by Jan. 28 or automatically grant relief. In his ruling, Judge Haywood S. Gilliam Jr. noted that the Department had given no prior indication that it would struggle to meet the deadline and waited until “the eleventh hour” to request more time. The decision leaves the existing timeline in place as the Department continues processing the outstanding applications.

Extension Request Denied

Additional Federal Relations Items of Interest to Duke

DOJ SUES UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA OVER ANTISEMITISM ALLEGATIONS

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against the University of California system, alleging that UCLA failed to adequately address workplace antisemitism complaints from employees. The complaint cites dozens of cases dating back to late 2023 and highlights the university’s response to campus protests and a 2024 encampment. UCLA said it has taken significant steps in recent years to strengthen safety, update policies, and address antisemitism, and plans to defend its actions.

UC Lawsuit

BIPARTISAN BILL FILED TO REAUTHORIZATION SBIR/STTR PROGRAMS

This week, Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) filed a bill that would reinstate the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs after a nearly four‑month lapse. The programs support small businesses with research and development through seed funding. The legislation includes several program updates, such as enhanced foreign‑risk review, new award authorities, standardized contracts, and improved data‑collection requirements. If enacted, it would reauthorize SBIR/STTR and associated pilot programs through September 2031.

Bill Filed

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Government Relations Resources

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