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| The DC Digest
Duke in DC's Top News Today:Â
- Department of Homeland Security Shutdown Continues
- Nonprofit Sues Trump Administration Over NCAR
- White House Publishes National Policy Framework Recommendations for AI
- Department of Energy Office of Science Announces Reorganization
- House to Hold NASA Hearing Wednesday
- Department of Education Official Warns Accreditors Over DEI Standards
- Harvard Faces Civil Rights Probes, Administration Lawsuit
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| Budget & Appropriations The latest coverage on Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations that are relevant to Duke.
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SHUTDOWN CONTINUESThe Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to have a lapse in funding, though Congress hopes to strike a deal this week. The agency has gone without funding for 39 days. According to CBS News reporting, Senators said Monday night they aimed to finalize legislative text and work toward resolving the impasse later this week. CBS reports that the tentative agreement would finance most DHS agencies--such as TSA, FEMA and the Coast Guard--but leave out funding for ICE deportations. Senate Republicans would later pursue that funding, along with parts of the SAVE America Act, via budget reconciliation.
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ResearchÂ
The latest updates on legislation and regulations that impact Duke's research enterprise.
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NONPROFIT SUES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER NCARThe University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) has filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s plan to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), a federally-funded climate science center managed by the nonprofit consortium. The suit alleges that the proposed breakup of NCAR, which we covered when the White House budget office announced it in December, violates federal law and improperly targets the institution’s operations. The case, filed in federal court in Colorado, seeks to block the restructuring and preserve NCAR’s existing organizational structure.
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WHITE HOUSE PUBLISHES NATIONAL POLICY FRAMEWORK RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AILast week, the White House published its legislative recommendations for an artificial intelligence national framework. The recommendations are non-binding proposals that indicate the President’s preferred policy direction and serve as guidance for Congress when developing legislation. The four-page framework outlines key priorities when it comes to drafting such legislation:Â
- Protecting Children and Empowering ParentsÂ
- Safeguarding and Strengthening American CommunitiesÂ
- Respecting Intellectual Property Rights and Supporting CreatorsÂ
- Preventing Censorship and Protecting Free SpeechÂ
- Enabling Innovation and Ensuring American AI Dominance Â
- Educating Americans and Developing an AI-Ready WorkforceÂ
- Establishing a Federal Policy Framework, Preempting Cumbersome State AI Laws
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OFFICE OF SCIENCE ANNOUNCES REORGANIZATIONLast week, the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science announced its plans to restructure the organization. In its announcement, the DOE said, "This realignment will enable us to be more agile, responsive, and effective in meeting our responsibilities." The DOE said it will begin immediately and take place over the next few months.Â
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HOUSE TO HOLD NASA HEARING WEDNESDAYThe House Science, Space and Technology's Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee is holding a hearing on Wednesday titled The Future of Low Earth Orbit: From the ISS to Commercial Platforms. Witnesses will include:Â
- Joel Montalbano, Acting Associate Administrator for Space Operations, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Dave Cavossa, President, Commercial Space Federation
- Charlie Precourt, Member, Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel
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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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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICIAL WARNS ACCREDITORS OVER DEI STANDARDSDepartment of Education Under Secretary Nicholas Kent has sent letters to two accrediting agencies directing them to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion standards, he said, that raise civil rights concerns. Kent wrote to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, noting that while both agencies suspended their DEI requirements last year, they have not formally rescinded them. Kent asked each accreditor to submit two monitoring reports over the next year documenting compliance.
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| Additional Federal Relations Items of Interest to DukeÂ
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HARVARD FACES CIVIL RIGHTS PROBES, ADMINISTRATION LAWSUIT
The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit Friday accusing Harvard University of failing to adequately protect Jewish and Israeli students from harassment, alleging violations of federal civil rights law and seeking potential financial penalties and policy changes. Federal officials claim the university did not sufficiently address antisemitism on campus or enforce rules related to protests and discipline.
Separately, the Department of Education on Monday opened new investigations into Harvard’s admissions practices, examining allegations of prohibited race-based preferences. Harvard has said it is reviewing the actions and disputes the government’s claims.
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SENATE CONFIRMS MARKWAYNE MULLIN TO SERVE AS DHS SECRETARY
The Senate on Monday confirmed Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to serve as the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary in a 54-45 vote.  He will be the second secretary to lead the department during this Trump administration, replacing Kristi Noem.
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| Government Relations Resources
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