The DC Digest

Duke Government Relations

Duke in DC's Top News Today:

Congress on Recess, Shutdown Looms
Court Orders Millions in Research Restored to UCLA
Trump Administration Releases FY27 Research and Development Budget Priorities
Duke Alumna Selected to NASA Astronaut Candidate Class
Education Department Gives Harvard 20 Days to Provide Admissions Information
Trump Proposes $100K Fee for H1-B Visas

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.

CONGRESS ON RECESS, SHUTDOWN LOOMS

This week, both chambers in Congress are on recess. As we highlighted Friday, the House managed to pass a continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government through November 20th. The Senate's vote failed on both the Democratic and Republican proposed CRs. The Senate is now on recess through Friday (September 26), while the House is on recess through next Tuesday (September 30). Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is expected to force another vote on the House-passed bill when the Senate returns on Monday (September 29). As always, the Office of Government Relations (OGR) will closely monitor this situation and provide updates as needed.

Research

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

COURT ORDERS MILLIONS IN RESEARCH FUNDING RESTORED TO UCLA

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Rita F. Lin ordered the Trump administration to restore about $500 million in frozen research funds to UCLA, calling the indefinite suspensions of NIH grants “likely arbitrary and capricious” and in violation of federal law. The ruling is temporary and part of a broader lawsuit filed by UC researchers, who argue that the termination of grants occurred “without proper review or clear explanation.” Federal officials had previously demanded that UCLA pay $1 billion and change admissions and other policies in exchange for the return of funds.

Judge Order

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION RELEASES FY27 R&D BUDGET PRIORITIES

The Trump administration's Office of Management and Budget and Office of Science and Technology Policy released the FY27 budget priorities today, emphasizing United States leadership in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum information science, semiconductors and future computing. It also calls for investment in energy systems--including nuclear, fusion and critical minerals--, strengthening national security capabilities--hypersonics, autonomous systems, space and resilience--and boosting health, biotechnology and space exploration. Crosscutting goals include improving research infrastructure, reducing administrative burden, promoting “Gold Standard Science,” building the STEM workforce and aligning research with agency missions.

Budget Priority

DUKE ALUMNA SELECTED TO NASA ASTRONAUT CANDIDATE CLASS

A Duke alumna was introduced as one of NASA's ten new astronaut candidates for the 2025 class. Anna Menon was selected following a competitive selection process of more than 8,000 applicants from across the United States. The class will now complete nearly two years of training before becoming eligible for flight assignments supporting future science and exploration missions to low Earth orbit, the Moon and Mars. Menon was recently on campus to help kick off the Duke SPACE Initiative (Science and Policy to Advance Cosmic Exploration).

Astronaut Candidate

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

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT GIVES HARVARD 20 DAYS TO PROVIDE ADMISSIONS INFO

The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has given Harvard University 20 days to turn over admissions documents tied to an investigation into whether it is “using racial stereotypes and preferences in undergraduate admissions.” On the same day, the department placed Harvard on heightened cash monitoring status, a designation that increases federal oversight of university finances and is typically reserved for schools in financial distress. These steps follow an ongoing dispute between Harvard and the federal government, which earlier froze $2.7 billion in grants until a judge ruled the suspension unlawful.

Harvard Update

Immigration

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

TRUMP PROPOSES $100K FEE ON H1-B VISAS

Late Friday, the White House issued a proclamation restricting the entry of new H-1B visa holders unless petitions are accompanied by a $100,000 payment. The policy applies only to new petitions filed after September 21, 2025, and will last 12 months unless extended, with exemptions for cases deemed in the national interest. The proclamation also directs Homeland Security and Labor to propose rules prioritizing higher-paid workers in the H-1B lottery and raising prevailing wage requirements, though questions remain about potential exemptions for universities, physicians and medical residents.

Visa Proposal

Government Relations Resources

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