Congressional Branch activities of interest
Floor Activity
The House and Senate are in Session this week following a two-week recess.
FY 2027 Appropriations
On April 3, the White House released its FY27 President’s Budget Request (PBR).
The $2.2 trillion request includes $1.15 trillion in defense discretionary spending, a 28% increase from FY26 enacted levels, and $350 billion in mandatory defense spending through reconciliation. The White House’s non-defense discretionary request totals $660.1 billion, which is a $73 billion or 10% cut from F26 enacted levels.
The proposed FY27 budget includes $41.4 billion for the National Institutes of Health, a $5.7 billion (12.3%) cut from FY26 enacted levels;
The administration proposed $4 billion for the National Science Foundation, a $4.75 billion (52.4%) cut from FY26 enacted levels;
The proposal requests flat funding for the Pell Grant and includes $10.55 billion in additional discretionary spending above the FY26 amount to address the Pell grant shortfall. Like the FY26 PBR, the FY27 request would cut Federal Work Study by $980 million and eliminate Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG).
The House Appropriations committee is scheduled to markup their FY27 proposals starting next week.
Hearings
On April 15, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee held a hearing titled “The State of Scientific Publishing: Assessing Trends, Emerging Issues, and Policy Considerations.” In the hearing, Subcommittee Chairman Rich McCormick (R-GA) highlighted the complexity of the scientific publishing landscape, with particular attention to open access, federal funding, and academic competition. Witnesses representing academia, publishing companies, and media organizations offered perspectives on the drivers of current challenges, including the high costs associated with making research articles open access. Watch the hearing here.
On March 26, the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee held a hearing titled “Don’t Fumble Their Future: Positioning Student-Athletes for Success in School and Beyond.” In their testimony, witnesses emphasized the need for stabilization in college athletics, particularly with regards to NIL, the transfer portal, and student-athlete status. Senate HELP Committee member Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) asked witnesses how team culture and dynamics would change if student athletes were treated as employees. Sen. Banks also asked about the patchwork of state laws related to student athlete compensation and employment status. Watch the hearing here.
On March 26, the House Education & Workforce Committee held a hearing entitled “U.S. Universities Under Siege: Foreign Espionage, Stolen Innovation, and the National Security Threat.” In the hearing, witnesses and Representatives alike discussed the importance of protecting university research from malign foreign influence. Indiana Representative Mark Messmer (R) asked witnesses about concrete steps that universities can take to work with federal agencies to prevent cases of fraud and improve reporting, as well as how to improve support structures for students. Watch the hearing here.
Markups
On April 14, the Senate Commerce Committee advanced the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act. The bill, led by Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) reauthorizes the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) for five years until December 2034. The NQI is currently authorized through December 21, 2029.
Bills Introduced
H.R. 8279 (title not yet available) was introduced by Rep. Thomas Suozzi (D-NY). The bill would expand the definition of institution of higher education with respect to graduate medical schools outside of the U.S. Read the bill text here.
The OHH SNAP Act of 2026 (H.R. 8246) was introduced by Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA). The bill would make it easier for college students to access SNAP benefits by excluding financial aid that is used for living expenses from personal income as well as counting time at an institution of higher education towards SNAP work requirements. The bill would also expand SNAP eligibility to students who are independent as well as students with an expected family contribution of $0. Read the press release here. Read the bill text here.
The Quantum Instrumentation for Science and Engineering Act (H.R. 8237) was introduced by Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN) and Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR). The bill would amend the National Quantum Initiative Act to create grants for higher education institutions to upgrade research facilities and improve access to research resources needed for quantum R&D. Read the bill here. Read the press release here.
Other Activities
House Select Committee on China Releases Statement in Support of DOW Research Security Policy
The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party released a statement in support of the Department of War’s 2026 Component Decision Matrix to Inform Fundamental Research Proposal Mitigation Decisions. The matrix includes updates to the May 2025 framework on how the Pentagon will apply research security risk reviews.
In a press release, Select Committee Chair John Moolenaar (R-MI) said, “President Trump and Secretary Hegseth are protecting our nation and taxpayer dollars by prohibiting the Pentagon from funding research collaborations with Chinese military entities. This is a commonsense policy and I will continue leading efforts in Congress to make sure it becomes law and applies to all administrations.”
Executive Branch activities of interest
President Trump Signs SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Into Law
On April 13, President Trump signed into law the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act (S. 3971), which extends the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs until September 30, 2031.
Judicial Branch activities of interest
Legal Action Contesting Cuts to NIH F&A Ends
Legal action by the Association of American Universities (AAU), Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU), and American Council on Education (ACE) contesting cuts to indirect cost rates at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) concluded earlier on April 6 after the Trump administration did not file a petition to appeal the case to the Supreme Court prior to its April 6 deadline. This means that the January 5, 2026, decision issued by the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirming the district court’s April 4, 2025, order permanently blocking the implementation, application, or enforcement of the NIH’s cut to indirect costs is now final without further opportunity for appeal.