| Budget & Appropriations The latest coverage on Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations that are relevant to Duke.
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HOUSE GOP TAKES FIRST STEP TOWARD NEW RECONCILIATION PACKAGEHouse Republicans took an initial step toward advancing a new budget reconciliation package, approving a budget resolution out of the House Budget Committee that would spend up to $95 billion for GOP priorities including defense, agriculture, and election-related initiatives. The committee vote marks the beginning of what is expected to be a complicated legislative process, with significant questions still unresolved about the package’s final size, contents, and how Republican leaders will address concerns from fiscal conservatives seeking additional spending offsets. House leadership hopes to move the budget framework before the August recess, but negotiations within the Republican conference are likely to continue.
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Research
The latest updates on legislation and regulations that impact Duke's research enterprise.
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UNIFORM GUIDANCE UPDATE, RESPONSE LETTERSLast month, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a proposal that would make dramatic changes to the Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance, also known as Uniform Guidance. As we previously covered, under the proposal, federal grantmaking would be broadly overhauled by shifting greater authority to OMB, increasing political review of awards, restricting international collaborations and expanding agencies’ ability to deny or terminate grants. Nearly 500,000 comments were submitted during the public comment period, which ended on Monday. You can find Duke's comment letter here.
As noted in a community message from Provost Alec Gallimore and Vice President for Research and Innovation Jenny Lodge, "Duke is committed to the responsible stewardship of federal funds, transparency, accountability, and research security. But we are concerned that the proposed rule would not achieve the stated aims, and we have urged OMB to withdraw or substantially modify it.'
Several higher education associations that Duke belongs to also submitted comment letters, including ACE, AAU and more. Among several congressional responses, the House Space Science & Technology Committee Democrats, including Reps. Foushee (NC-04) and Ross (NC-02) submitted a comment letter to OMB.
As always, the Office of Government Relations is closely monitoring the next steps and will provide updates as necessary.
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SENATE DEMOCRATS BLOCK DEFENSE BILL AMID IRAN DEBATE Senate Democrats blocked consideration of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), denying Republicans the votes needed to advance the traditionally bipartisan defense policy bill. Democrats cited concerns about ongoing U.S. military involvement in Iran and argued that Congress should place additional limits on the administration's military actions before moving forward with a measure that would authorize a record level of defense spending. Congressional leaders have not yet outlined a clear strategy for breaking the impasse.
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| 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.
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REPUBLICANS MOVE FORWARD WITH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OVERHAULThe House Education and Workforce Committee advanced a package of bills that would permanently transfer many Department of Education responsibilities to other federal agencies, including the Departments of Labor, Treasury, Health and Human Services, and State. The bills aim to formalize many of the Interagency Agreements the Trump Administration has already started to implement. Regardless, the path forward remains uncertain as even. Should the bills pass the House, they would face significant procedural and political hurdles in the Senate, where Republican leaders are unlikely to have the votes needed to overcome a filibuster without Democratic support.
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Immigration
The latest updates on legislation and regulatory actions related to immigration that are relevant to Duke.
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NEW RULE ENDS ‘DURATION OF STATUS’ FOR F AND J VISA HOLDERSThe Department of Homeland Security has finalized a long-anticipated rule that would replace the current “duration of status” framework for F and J visa holders with a fixed period of admission, generally capped at four years. Under the rule, students and exchange visitors who need additional time to complete their academic programs would be required to apply to the federal government for an extension of stay. The rule also includes changes affecting academic progression, transfers, and post-completion grace periods. The changes are scheduled to take effect on September 15, baring any stays from the expected legal challenges.
At this stage, many questions remain about implementation and practical impacts. The final rule was only released yesterday, and additional federal guidance may be needed to clarify how the new requirements will operate in practice.
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| Government Relations Resources
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