The DC Digest

Duke Government Relations

Duke in DC's Top News Today:

Former National Science Board Chairs, NSF Directors Write Letter Seeking NSB Leadership Restoration
CREATE AI Act Introduced in Senate
Education and Treasury Departments Move Employees as Part of Student Loan Program Shift
Doctors From Countries Under Travel Ban Now Allowed to Stay in U.S.
Congressional Staff Day Highlights Duke Research and Health Innovation

The Highlights 📰

Research

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

FORMER NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD CHAIRS, NSF DIRECTORS WRITE LETTER SEEKING NSB LEADERSHIP RESTORATION

A group of 13 former National Science Foundation (NSF) leaders has urged the Trump administration and the Senate to restore leadership at the agency following the resignation of its director more than a year ago and the removal of the entire National Science Board. In a joint letter, the former officials emphasized the importance of both the director and the board in guiding NSF’s nearly $9 billion research portfolio and maintaining U.S. scientific competitiveness, warning that “NSF needs both its Director and its Board to meet its mission.”

Letter Sent

CREATE AI ACT INTRODUCED IN SENATE

The CREATE AI Act was reintroduced in the Senate this week by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, aiming to establish the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) to expand access to computing tools, data and infrastructure for AI research and education. The proposal builds on a federal pilot launched in 2023 and is designed to support researchers, educators and students across institutions in developing and deploying AI technologies. A bipartisan companion bill was introduced in the House last year.

CREATE AI Act

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 AND TREASURY DEPARTMENTS MOVE EMPLOYEES AS PART OF STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM SHIFT

The Education and Treasury Departments are detailing staff between agencies as part of the administration’s ongoing effort to transfer management of the federal student loan portfolio. Under a recent agreement, several Department of Education employees will be assigned to Treasury, with a smaller number of Treasury staff detailed to Education, initially focusing on transitioning the defaulted loan portfolio. According to POLITICO Pro, officials described the move as an early operational step in shifting responsibility for the approximately $1.7 trillion student loan system. Additional phases of the transfer are expected as the agencies continue coordinating the transition.

Immigration

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

DOCTORS FROM COUNTRIES UNDER TRAVEL BAN NOW ALLOWED TO STAY IN US

The Trump administration has reversed course on a visa processing pause, exempting foreign physicians from a freeze that had disrupted their ability to work in the United States. The earlier policy had halted visa and work permit decisions for individuals from multiple countries, affecting doctors serving in some underserved areas. Under updated guidance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, applications for physicians will continue to be processed. The change allows affected doctors to maintain or resume their employment while broader visa policies remain in place.

Processing Update

Additional Federal Relations Items of Interest to Duke

CONGRESSIONAL STAFF DAY HIGHLIGHTS DUKE RESEARCH AND HEALTH INNOVATION
Duke University recently hosted state and district congressional staffers from across North Carolina for its 2026 State and District Congressional Staff Day, highlighting Duke and Duke Health research, education, and healthcare initiatives impacting communities statewide. The visit featured NSF‑funded research, health system innovation, and student engagement, underscoring Duke’s role as a major employer, research leader, and partner in state and federal policy priorities.

State and District Staff Day

Government Relations Resources

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