The DC Digest

Duke Government Relations

Duke in DC's Top News Today:

NDAA Action Teed Up for Pre-Holidays Vote
Reports Indicate Fewer International Students Came to the US this Fall
Trump Admin Taps Richard Lucas to Head Federal Student Aid
Acting Chief of FEMA Resigns

The Highlights 📰

Research

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

NDAA TEED UP FOR PRE-HOLIDAYS VOTE

Lawmakers are aiming to finalize a compromise National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) before the holiday break, positioning the package for early December votes. House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers said negotiators are “in a better position … than we have been for the last two or three years,” despite losing several weeks to the 43-day government shutdown. The main unresolved issue is the overall defense top line: the Senate’s $925 billion level is $32 billion higher than the House-passed bill, which aligns with President Trump’s $893 billion request.

NDAA News

Immigration

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

REPORT FINDS FEWER INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS CAME TO THE US THIS FALL

Nearly a year into the Trump administration’s visa and immigration policies, the 2025 annual Open Doors indicates that new international student enrollment has dropped 17 percent this fall, even as overall international enrollment declined by just 1 percent. The report released this week comes on the heels of President Donald Trump's comments last week defending the enrollment of international students. The fall 2025 snapshot data show a mixed picture: undergraduate international enrollment increased by 2 percent and Optional Practical Training participation rose 14 percent, but graduate enrollment declined by 12 percent, continuing a trend that began prior to 2025. Last academic year reflected similar patterns, with new graduate enrollment falling 15 percent even as new undergraduate enrollment rose 5 percent. According to NAFSA, this year’s sharp drop in new international enrollment translates to more than $1.1 billion in lost revenue and nearly 23,000 fewer US jobs.

International Students

Trump Administration

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TAPS RICHARD LUCAS AS ACTING FEDERAL STUDENT AID HEAD

The Department of Education announced that Richard Lucas will serve as the Acting Chief Operating Officer of Federal Student Aid. Lucas previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Federal Student Aid. Federal Student Aid, a Performance-Based Organization (PBO), is responsible for managing the administrative and oversight functions of the programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act.

ACTING FEMA CHIEF RESIGNS

David Richardson, the acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, resigned Monday after roughly six months leading the agency. A DHS spokesperson said that FEMA's current chief of staff, Karen Evans, will step into the acting administrator position beginning Dec. 1.

Government Relations Resources

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