This week’s Federal Update covers Congressional and Executive activities of interest in Washington, D.C.
Congressional Branch Activities of Interest
Floor Activity
The House convened on Tuesday and is scheduled to be in session through Friday.
The Senate is in session all week and continues its consideration of nominations.
Reconciliation
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee was the first Senate Committee to release its reconciliation bill text, on June 4. Other Senate committees likely to follow suit this week and next.
FY26 Appropriations
On May 30, the Trump Administration released its more detailed FY 26 budget proposal, building on the previously released “skinny” budget request. The proposal cuts non-defense discretionary spending by 23%, increases funding for defense by 13%, and homeland security by 65%. The budget proposes steep cuts to scientific research funding, including a near 57% cut to the National Science Foundation topline and a 40% cut to the National Institutes of Health topline. A separate document containing more detailed budget estimates for DOD will be published in June. The request also seeks to reduce federal student aid funding, proposing a 23% cut to the maximum Pell Grant, elimination of Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, and an 80% cut to Federal Work Study. Ultimately, Congress will have the final say on FY 26 appropriations.
Hearings
On June 3, the Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing to examine the proposed FY 2026 budget for the Department of Education. During the hearing, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon addressed the proposed elimination of TRIO programs, stating that “the Department of Education has no ability to go in and look at the accountability” of the programs. Secretary McMahon also commented on the rising cost of college, noting that “the cost of college is so high that students graduate thinking they will have a job and can repay their loans, but often this is not the case.” Watch the hearing here.
On June 4, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce convened to examine the policies and priorities of the Department of Education. During the hearing, Indiana Representative Mark Messmer questioned Secretary of Education Linda McMahon about the Department’s commitment to Career and Technical Education, emphasizing the importance of working with local colleges to “maintain local flexibility, because the workforce needs across the country are very diverse.” Watch the hearing here.
On June 5 in a joint hearing the Research & Technology and Energy Subcommittees of the House Science Committee, lawmakers discussed key issues and strategic priorities in biotechnology during what is referenced as the “Golden Age of Innovation.” Indiana Representative Jim Baird praised the research and development tax credit included in the reconciliation bill and asked whether “the U.S. is falling behind in the biotechnology field,” to which witnesses responded in the negative. Watch the hearing here.
Executive Branch Activities of Interest
President Trump Signs Executive Orders on Travel Restrictions
On June 4, President Trump signed an executive order titled, “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” The travel ban implicates visas from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
Department of Education Urges Revocation of Columbia University's Accreditation
On June 4, the Department of Education sent a letter to Columbia University’s accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, urging the organization to revoke the university’s accreditation. The Department cited Columbia’s failure to “comply with all applicable government laws and regulations” as grounds for the recommendation. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated, “Columbia University’s leadership acted with deliberate indifference toward the harassment of Jewish students on its campus. This is not only immoral, but also unlawful.” Read the full press release here.