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 and Senate are in Session this week.
FY 2026 Appropriations
Senate Republicans still hope to pass several FY26 appropriations bills before the end of the year, including packaging the Defense, Labor-HHS-Education, Transportation-HUD, and Commerce-Justice-Science bills, into a minibus. Reporting indicates that House Republican leaders are awaiting action from the Senate and do not plan to advance any spending legislation this month. Congress must pass the remaining nine appropriations bills or pass another continuing resolution by January 30 to avoid a second government shutdown.
FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act
The College Athletics Reform Act (CARA) (H.R. 6350) was introduced by Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MA). Similar to Sen. Cantwell’s (D-WA) SAFE Act, it would protect students’ Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights and amend the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961. Unlike Cantwell’s proposal, however, CARA would establish a Commission to Stabilize College Sports to develop recommendations for a new governing model for college athletics, review the implementation of Title IX, and explore revenue-generation strategies to expand opportunities in women’s and Olympic sports. Read the press release here. Read the bill text here.
The Pregnant Students’ Rights Act (H.R. 6359) was introduced by Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA). This bill would require higher education institutions to inform students of the rights and resources available to pregnant students, including flexible class schedules, excused absences, and access to childcare assistance. Rep. Hinson stated that the goal of the legislation is to ensure pregnant students feel supported and cared for on campus throughout their pregnancy. Read the press release here. Read the bill text here.
The Veteran Education Empowerment Act (H.R. 6358) was introduced by Reps. Lois Frankel (D-FL) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). This bill would reauthorize the Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success grant program, which helps higher education institutions establish and operate Student Veteran Success Centers. These centers support students transitioning from military to academic life by providing academic assistance, mental health services, and mentorship. Read the press release here. Read the bill text here.
SCORE Act Vote
Consideration of the SCORE Act on the House floor, originally scheduled for December 3, was abruptly cancelled. The procedural rule required to bring the bill to the floor narrowly passed on Tuesday after several Freedom Caucus members voted against it.
Executive Branch activities of interest
Department of Education Announces New Foreign Funding Reporting Portal
The Department of Education (ED) has announced that a new portal for universities to report foreign funding will launch on January 2, 2026. The updated system is designed to streamline reporting by allowing institutions to upload disclosures in bulk rather than one at a time. This rollout is one element of the Executive Order (EO) 14282, issued in April, which prioritizes greater transparency around foreign funding in higher education. Read the ED press release here.