Congressional Branch activities of interest
Floor Activity
The Senate was in Session this week.
FY2026 Appropriations
On August 2, Senate leaders announced that they had reached a bipartisan deal to fund government operations until December 11. The Senate-proposed Continuing Resolution (CR) would also prevent the Office of Management and Budget from finalizing its proposed revisions to the Uniform Guidance for the duration of the CR (until December 11). The Senate is expected to vote on the CR before it leaves for recess at the end of this week, though disagreement over implementation of a new hemp product definition has stalled the Senate vote.
Hearings
On August 4, the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Healthcare held a hearing titled, “Building a Resilient Health Care Future with Biotechnology.” During the hearing, Chairman and Indiana Senator Todd Young (R) emphasized that Indiana leads the nation in biotechnology manufacturing and stressed the importance of maintaining a strong U.S. biotechnology sector. Dr. Alan Palkowitz, President and CEO of the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute, participated as a witness and echoed this message, highlighting the critical role universities play in driving biotechnology innovation. He noted that “universities produce groundbreaking science” and argued that they should be treated as essential partners as policymakers continue to strengthen the nation's biotechnology strategy. Watch the hearing here.
On August 5, the Senate Committee on Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship held a hearing titled, “The Next 250: Small Businesses Leading the Way.” During the hearing, Indiana Senator Todd Young (R) emphasized the importance of partnerships between small businesses and research institutions, particularly in advancing innovation in emerging technologies. Reinforcing that theme, Purdue University Professor Dr. Ajay Malshe testified that the United States needs “a coordinated, long-term national effort in the fundamental science and engineering of manufacturing beyond Earth” that brings together federal agencies, universities, industry leaders, and national laboratories. Watch the hearing here.
Bills Introduced
On July 30, Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced the bipartisan Promoting High-skilled Doctoral Talent (PhD Talent) Act (S. 5187). The bill would establish a five-year Department of Energy (DOE) pilot program to support accelerated bachelor's-to-Ph.D. pathways, doctoral fellowships, and partnerships among universities, National Laboratories, and industry in fields identified by DOE as having a demonstrated need for additional domestic doctoral talent, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum science, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, robotics, and advanced computing. Read the bill text here. Read the press release here.
On July 30, Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced the bipartisan Build to Scale Reauthorization Act (S. 5198). The bill would reauthorize the Economic Development Administration's Build to Scale program through FY2030 at $50 million annually to support regional innovation ecosystems by providing competitive grants for entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, startup growth, and organizations that connect startups with capital, infrastructure, and technical assistance. Companion legislation was previously introduced in the House by Reps. Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Jim Baird (R-IN). Read the bill text here . Read the press release here.
On August 3, Reps. Lucy McBath (D-GA), Erin Houchin (R-IN), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Kevin Kiley (I-CA), Josh Harder (D-CA), and Burgess Owens (R-UT) introduced the bipartisan Reading Excellence and Achievement for Development (READ) Act (H.R. 10031). The bill would reauthorize and revise the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant program to support evidence-based literacy instruction aligned with the science of reading, expand literacy research, and strengthen state reporting and accountability. Among its higher education provisions, the bill would require participating states to collaborate with institutions of higher education on teacher preparation, evaluate educator preparation programs for alignment with the science of reading, and support improvements to pre-service teacher training. A companion bill in the Senate is being led by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Jim Banks (R-IN), and Tim Scott (R-SC). Read the bill text here. Read the press release here.
Executive Branch activities of interest
Department of State Proposes Changes to J1 Visa
On July 30, the Department of State (DOS) issued a proposed rule to amend the J1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program. The rule would expand the DOS’s authority to terminate a J1 visa’s holder participation in the program “when the Department or DHS has revoked or cancelled a visa with immediate effect” or “when an exchange visitor falsifies or fails to provide a full and truthful response, information, or documents as part of his or her exchange visitor application or during the ongoing exchange program.” Read the rule here.
ED Issues “National Call to Action to University Presidents and Governing Boards”
On August 3, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon issued a letter calling on university presidents and governing boards nationwide to reaffirm higher education's commitment to academic excellence, research, and national service. Specifically, Secretary McMahon urged every institution to publish, by the end of 2026, a public statement outlining the reforms it will undertake to help restore public trust in higher education. The letter identifies seven key areas for institutional review and action:
- Transparency and Merit in Admissions
- Free Speech and Open Inquiry
- Intellectual Pluralism and Academic Vitality
- Affordability, Value, and Student Outcomes
- Academic Standards and Rigor in the Age of AI
- Safeguarding Research Integrity from Malign Foreign Influence
- Prioritizing American Interests
Read Secretary McMahon’s full letter here. Read ED’s press release here.