The DC Digest

Duke Government Relations

Duke in DC's Top News Today:

Senate Advances Budget Resolution Over Weekend, House Expected to Vote This Week
National Endowment for the Humanities Puts Employees on Leave
NIH Cap Ban Upheld by Federal Judge, Headed for Appeals Court
Department of Education and DOJ Announce Title IX Special Investigations Team
Higher Ed Associations Write Letter on Visa Revocations

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.

SENATE ADVANCES BUDGET RESOLUTION OVER WEEKEND, HOUSE EXPECTED TO VOTE THIS WEEK

The Senate adopted its budget reconciliation plan in the early hours of Saturday morning in a 51-48 vote, that will combine an overhaul of the tax code with border, energy and defense policies. The resolution now moves to the House where if passed, it will unlock the next step in the reconciliation process. That includes drafting legislation on key GOP priorities.

Budget Blueprint

Research

The latest updates on legislation and regulations that impact Duke's research enterprise.

NEH PUTS EMPLOYEES ON LEAVE

Last week, staff at the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) were placed on paid administrative leave after a recent move by the Trump administration to terminate grants to 56 state humanities councils. This decision, which affects nearly 80 percent of NEH staff, follows increasing pressure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The NEH, a major supporter of humanities projects across the U.S., has faced criticism for these cuts, with union representatives and directors of affected organizations expressing concerns about the impact on local economies and cultural preservation.

NEH News

NIH CAP BAN UPHELD BY FEDERAL JUDGE, HEADED FOR APPEALS COURT

This week, a federal judge permanently blocked the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from imposing a 15 percent cap on indirect research funding, which would have negatively impacted the America's research ecosystem. The judge ruled that the NIH's decision violated federal law and constitutional protections. While the ruling provides temporary relief to research institutions, the NIH plans to appeal, leading to continued legal battles.

NIH News

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

DEPT. OF EDUCATION AND DOJ ANNOUNCE TITLE IX SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS TEAM

Last week, the Department of Education and the Department of Justice established the "Title IX Special Investigations Team" (SIT) to address the rising number of Title IX complaints, particularly those related to gender issues in school sports and facilities. According to the announcement, the team, consisting of investigators and attorneys from both departments, aims to streamline and expedite investigations to ensure faster, consistent resolutions.

Title IX Team

Immigration

The latest updates on legislation and regulatory actions related to immigration that are relevant to Duke.

HIGHER ED ASSOCIATIONS WRITE LETTER ON VISA REVOCATIONS

The American Council on Education (ACE) and 15 other higher education associations have requested a briefing from the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the revocation of international student visas. The associations are seeking greater transparency and communication from federal agencies to help institutions support affected students and ensure they can continue contributing to U.S. campuses and communities.

Visa Questions

Manage your preferences | Opt out using TrueRemove®
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.

1201 Pennsylvania Ave.
District of Columbia, DC | 20004 United States

This email was sent to arlene.melchiorre@duke.edu.
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.