The DC Digest

Duke Government Relations

Duke in DC's Top News Today:

Senate Passes Continuing Resolution Before August Recess
DOJ Finds Three NSF Programs Discriminate Based on Race and are Unconstitutional
Trump Signs Executive Orders Targeting Birthright Citizenship
Judge Dismisses Trump Administration Lawsuit Alleging Antisemitism at Harvard
Todd Blanche Confirmed as Attorney General
Post of the Week!

The DC Digest will move to a weekly basis for the duration of the Congressional August recess.

The Highlights 📰

Budget & Appropriations

The latest coverage on Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations that are relevant to Duke.

Duke Government Relations' primer on the federal appropriations process.

SENATE PASSES CONTINUING RESOLUTION BEFORE AUGUST RECESS

The Senate voted 90-6 on Saturday to pass a continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the federal government at FY 26 levels through December 11, sending lawmakers into the August recess without agreement on funding between the two chambers. As a reminder, the House previously passed its own funding bill with a different expiration date, meaning it will need to take up the Senate-passed measure when lawmakers return to avoid a government shutdown on September 30.

In addition to extending government funding, the Senate bill would temporarily block the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from finalizing its proposed revisions to the Uniform Guidance for the duration of the CR--we covered those proposed revisions last week. The White House has indicated that President Trump supports the Senate bill and has urged Congress to approve it.

Recess Break

Research

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

DOJ FINDS THREE NSF PROGRAMS DISCRIMINATE BASED ON RACE AND ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has found that three National Science Foundation (NSF) programs designed to increase participation in STEM fields among underrepresented groups are unconstitutional, and the NSF must now discontinue those initiatives. The affected programs include the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation, the Hispanic-Serving Institutions STEM program and the Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate, which together received roughly $104 million in funding during the most recent fiscal year. The DOJ also identified concerns with portions of two additional NSF programs, but said those initiatives could continue if race- and sex-based criteria are removed. The NSF requested the legal review earlier this year as the administration continues to reevaluate federal programs that consider race or gender in funding decisions.

DOJ and NSF

Immigration

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

TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDERS TARGETING BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP

President Donald Trump signed two executive orders last week related to birthright citizenship and “birth tourism” following the Supreme Court’s June ruling reaffirming that children born in the United States are automatically citizens under the Fourteenth Amendment. The orders seek to narrow eligibility for birthright citizenship in certain circumstances and direct additional scrutiny toward individuals who travel to the United States to give birth. However, the impact of the orders remains uncertain, as legal questions about their implementation are expected and the Supreme Court recently rejected a broader effort to restrict birthright citizenship through executive action.

New EOs

Additional Federal Relations Items of Interest to Duke

JUDGE DISMISSES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION LAWSUIT ALLEGING ANTISEMITISM AT HARVARD

A federal judge on Thursday dismissed the Department of Justice's (DOJ) lawsuit alleging that Harvard University violated federal civil rights laws by failing to adequately address antisemitic harassment on campus. The court found that the incidents cited by the government, which primarily occurred during the 2023-24 academic year, were not sufficient to demonstrate an ongoing pattern of civil rights violations. The administration has indicated it is reviewing the decision and considering next steps.

Lawsuit Dismissed

Trump Administration

TODD BLANCHE CONFIRMED AS ATTORNEY GENERAL

Last week, the Senate also narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche to officially serve in the role of Attorney General in a 50-49 vote. Two Republican senators, Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), joined all Democrats to oppose his nomination. Blanche had been serving as the acting AG since the departure of Pam Bondi in April.

Post of the Week!

Government Relations Resources

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