Congressional Branch activities of interest
Floor Activity
The House and Senate are in Session this week.
FY27 National Defense Authorization Act
On June 4, the House Armed Services Committee marked up the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 8800). The bill includes $1.1 trillion for Department of Defense programs and $42 billion for Department of Energy nuclear weapons programs. The committee’s resources for the FY27 NDAA are available on its website.
Hearings
On June 3, the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing titled “Building an AI-Ready America: Higher Education in the Age of AI.” In his opening remarks, Chairman Burgess Owens (R-UT) argued that higher education must take an active leadership role in this transformation, noting that institutions have “both the opportunity and the obligation to help lead this transition rather than simply endure it.” Watch the hearing here.
On June 3, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee held a hearing titled “Protecting College Sports: Supporting Student Athletes, Restoring Fair Competition, and Saving the Games Fans Love.” During the hearing, committee members and witnesses discussed the evolving college athletics landscape and the recently introduced Protect College Sports Act. Committee member and Indiana Senator Todd Young (R) questioned University of Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua about the revenue-sharing cap established under the House v. NCAA settlement. Bevacqua stated that the cap should be increased to promote a more transparent and equitable system. Senator Young and Bevacqua also emphasized the importance of preserving the student-athlete experience. Watch the full hearing here.
Bills Introduced
The Protect College Sports Act (S.4668) was introduced by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA). The bipartisan bill would codify student athletes’ rights, including NIL opportunities and the revenue sharing framework as outlined in the House v. NCAAdecision. The bill would also amend the Sports Broadcasting Act to expand schools’ revenue by allowing schools to collectively pool their media rights, similar to the model used by pro sports leagues, such as the NFL. Moreover, the bill would implement a five-year eligibility model, which would give student athletes five years of eligibility beginning when they graduate from high school, or when they turn 19, whichever comes sooner. Finally, the bill would also prohibit mid-season coaching transitions as well as big conference mergers. Read the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation press release here . Read the bill text here.
The Small Business Innovation Voucher Act of 2026 (H.R.9050) was introduced by Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) and Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN). The bill was previously introduced in the Senate (S.3415) by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Sen. Todd Young (R-IN). The bill would allow small businesses to partner with institutions of higher education or research labs to better compete for federal grant funding on research and development and the commercialization of new technologies. Read Rep. Crow’s press release here. Read the bill text here.
The Merit Restoration Act (H.R.9103) was introduced by Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) to prohibit federal research agencies and recipients of federal research grants from using a prohibited diversity, equity, or inclusion practice with respect to federal research grants. According to the Congressman’s press release, the bill would prohibit agencies from considering DEI statements, mandatory diversity requirements, or ideological criteria when evaluating grant applications or continuing federal funding. Read Rep. Norman’s press release here. Read the bill text here.
Executive Branch activities of interest
OMB Proposes Rule Revising Uniform Guidance
On May 29, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a proposed rule to revise the Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance (known as Uniform Guidance). The proposed rule would establish baseline requirements for how all federal awards are managed, including research grant awards. The rule would also implement several executive orders, including the executive order “Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking.” The proposed rule would change the peer review process to be advisory and instead require administration officials to review discretionary grants before they are awarded.
Notably, the proposed rule would not make changes to indirect cost rate policies and notes that OMB may consider issuing a request for information on indirect costs in the future. It would, however, allow indirect costs to be used as a factor for determining which grants are funded and which are not. Read the proposed rule here.
Department of Education Releases Title VI Program Redesign
On May 29, the Department of Education (ED) announced redesigned Higher Education Act Title VI/Fulbright-Hays competitions for FY26. The updates include these new programs - the Centers Aligned with Areas of National Needs (CAANN) and the Mutual Education and Cultural Exchange (MECE) program. $70M is expected to fund 50 CAANN awards and $10 million for 2-4 MECE awards. CAANN programs build regional and language expertise, and MECE programs support overseas educational and cultural exchange opportunities for teachers. Read ED’s announcement here.
Judicial Branch activities of interest
Associations Sue Department of Education over Grad Student Loan Caps
On June 3, the Physician Assistant Education Association and the American Academy of Physician Associations sued the Department of Education (ED) over the rule implementing graduate student loan caps. In April, ED finalized a rule that creates two categories for degree programs, with caps on loan limits depending on whether the degree is classified as a “professional” or “graduate” program. Students in “professional” programs can borrow up to $200,000 total, whereas students in “graduate” programs can borrow up to $100,000 total. The plaintiffs argue that the rule limits what programs can be considered “professional” and the limits would augment workforce shortages in healthcare. Read the full lawsuit here.