Congressional Branch activities of interest
Floor Activity
The House and Senate are in Session this week.
Hearings
On April 28, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor HHS Education held a hearing to review the FY27 President’s Budget Request (PBR) for the Department of Education. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon testified and expressed support for recent interagency agreements that have reduced the size of the Department, while both Republican and Democratic members expressed concern about the PBR’s proposed elimination of the TRIO program. Watch the hearing here.
On April 29, the House Committee on Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing titled “Speech or Silence? The Future of the First Amendment in Higher Education.” Members and witnesses emphasized the importance of intellectual diversity and academic freedom in universities across the U.S. Watch the full hearing here.
Markups
On April 30, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) approved its FY27 appropriations bill The bill includes $7B for the National Science Foundation (NSF), a 20% or $1.75B cut from FY26.
Section 542 of the bill instructs the Department of Commerce, NASA, and NSF to continue to apply the negotiated indirect cost rates for institutions of higher education to the same extent and in the same manner as such negotiated indirect cost rates were applied in FY24. Section 542 is found on page 124 of the bill text found here.
On April 29, the House Science Committee marked up and approved the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act (H.R. 8462). The bill, authored by Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) reauthorizes the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) until 2032.
Bills Introduced
The Creating Resources for Every American to Experiment with Artificial Intelligence Act (CREATE AI Act) was introduced by Indiana Senator Todd Young, Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ). The bill would establish the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) that connects American researchers and educators to data, software, and other tools needed for AI research and development. Sen. Young’s press release announcing introduction of the bill includes this quote from President Whitten, “By broadening access for university and nonprofit researchers, we can accelerate innovation and expand the impact of research that benefits America. Senator Young’s leadership on the National AI Research Resource is an important step forward.” Read the press release here. Read the bill text here.
The American Leadership in AI Act (H.R. 8516) was introduced by Reps. Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA). The bill would improve AI standards and evaluation, as well as expand research infrastructure, R&D, and education and workforce opportunities. The bill implements several legislative proposals from the Bipartisan Task Force on Artificial Intelligence report issued in the last Congress. Read the press release here. Read the bill text here .
The Improving Financial Aid Offers for Students Act (S. 4435) was introduced by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA). The bill would establish requirements for financial aid offers made by institutions of higher education. Read the bill text here.
The No Ghost Aid for Students Act (S. 4428) was introduced by Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL). The bill would require the Department of Education (ED) to use an identity fraud detection system to review FAFSA applications for fraud, require ED to notify applicants if their application presents suspicions of fraud, and require institutions to verify a student’s identity before distributing federal aid. Read the press release here. Read the bill text here .
The TEACH Improvement Act (S. 4415) was introduced by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Jack Reed (D-RI). The bill would strengthen the TEACH Grant program, which provides undergraduate and graduate students with federal funding to pursue coursework and teaching certifications. Read the press release here. Read the bill text here.
H.R. 8499 (no title yet available) was introduced by Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-TX). The bill would require opioid overdose kits to be located at institutions of higher education. Read the bill text here.
Executive Branch activities of interest
National Science Foundation Board Members Dismissed by President Trump
On April 24, the White House dismissed all 22 members of the National Science Foundation Board, which advises and oversees the National Science Foundation. In a statement to Inside Higher Ed, the White House reportedly raised concern “about whether non-Senate confirmed appointees can exercise the authorities Congress gives the National Science Board.”
U.S. Department of Education Launches Effort to Prevent Federal Student Aid Fraud
On April 27, the Department of Education (ED) announced the release of a new fraud detection capability for the FAFSA, which will require applicants who display a fraud risk to present a government-issued ID before they are able to access federal student aid funds. Moreover, ED also recently began a review of all 2026-2027 FAFSA forms to identify potentially fraudulent applications. Read the ED press release here.