The DC Digest

Duke Government Relations

Duke in DC's Top News Today:

Republican Senators Urge White House to Release Delayed NIH Funds
White House Unveils AI Action Plan
Members of Congress Urge NASA Not to Implement Cuts to NASA Science
Columbia Settles with Trump Administration
State Department Launches New Investigation into Harvard
And more...

The Highlights 📰

Research

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

REPUBLICAN SENATORS URGE WHITE HOUSE TO RELEASE DELAYED NIH FUNDS

Today, Senator Katie Britt (R-AL), chair of the Senate Appropriations homeland subcommittee, led a group of Republican senators in urging the White House Budget Office to expedite the disbursement of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds authorized in the March spending bill. The letter warns that delays in releasing these funds could hinder critical biomedical research and limit progress on health treatments: "We respectfully request that you ensure the timely release of all FY25 NIH appropriations in accordance with congressional intent. Doing so will ensure continued momentum in curing disease, supporting American innovation, and delivering results for hardworking families." Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) also signed the letter.

NIH Ask

WHITE HOUSE UNVEILS AI ACTION PLAN

The White House has released "Winning the AI Race: America’s AI Action Plan", which outlines over 90 federal policy actions to advance U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence. The plan focuses on accelerating innovation, expanding AI infrastructure and strengthening international partnerships. Key provisions include streamlining regulations to promote AI adoption, supporting workforce development in high-demand technical fields and ensuring neutrality in federally procured AI systems. The initiative also promotes collaboration with allies through the secure export of U.S. AI technologies.

AI Action

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS URGE NASA NOT TO IMPLEMENT CUTS TO NASA SCIENCE

Last Friday, a bipartisan group of lawmakers sent a letter urging Transportation Secretary and NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy not to take any action to implement the administration’s proposed cuts to the NASA Science Mission Directorate until FY26 funding levels are finalized. The letter expressed support for NASA Science programs and projects and noted that “Cuts as deep as those proposed by this Administration – 47% to NASA Science – would force the premature termination of dozens of productive missions, wasting decades of effort and taxpayer investment.” House Science Committee Ranking Member Valerie Valerie Foushee (D-NC), who represents Duke, led the letter. Other North Carolina delegation members who signed include Representatives Don Davis (D-NC), Deborah Ross (D-NC) and Alma Adams (D-NC).

NASA Letter

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

COLUMBIA SETTLES WITH ADMINISTRATION

Columbia University has reached a settlement with the federal government, marking the first resolution of civil-rights investigations into alleged antisemitism on a college campus. The university will pay $200 million to settle these probes and an additional $21 million to resolve separate employment investigations. As part of the agreement, Columbia reaffirmed planned updates to its campus safety and disciplinary policies. In exchange, the federal government will reinstate most of the $400 million in previously suspended research funding.

Settlement

STATE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES NEW INVESTIGATION INTO HARVARD

The U.S. State Department has launched an investigation into Harvard University’s compliance with the J-1 visa program for international students. The review will examine whether Harvard meets the requirements for sponsoring participants in the Exchange Visitor Program, which supports international academic and cultural exchanges. A State Department statement emphasized the need for universities to align with national security and foreign policy interests. Harvard stated it remains committed to following program regulations and supporting its international students and scholars.

Harvard Investigation

Immigration

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

HOMELAND SECURITY TO PROPOSE RULEMAKING CHANGES TO H-1B VISA LOTTERY

The Department of Homeland Security has announced it is considering changes to the H-1B visa program, specifically for applications subject to the annual cap. Though the rule text is not yet public, it is expected to prioritize applicants at higher wage levels through a new weighted selection process. If enacted, the changes could limit access to H-1B visas for early-career professionals and recent international graduates. The potential changes are under review by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.

H-1B Filing

Additional Federal Relations Items of Interest to Duke

PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER FOR COLLEGE SPORTS

A new executive order signed by President Trump directs federal agencies, including the Department of Education, to enforce provisions related to athletic scholarships and name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. The order requires major athletic departments to preserve scholarship opportunities for women’s and Olympic sports. It also aims to place new limits on NIL agreements.

New EO

HOUSE COMMITTEES ADVANCES SCORE ACT

Two House committees have advanced the “Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements Act” (SCORE Act), which would solidify college athletics administrators' authority and prevent student-athletes from being classified as employees. The bill would preempt state and local laws governing name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements and incorporate aspects of a recent court settlement on athlete compensation. It also includes provisions shielding the NCAA and related officials from federal antitrust laws. The legislation passed narrowly in both the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Education and Workforce Committeee.

SCORE Act

Post of the Week!

Government Relations Resources

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