This week’s Federal Update covers Congressional, Executive, and Judicial activities of interest in Washington, D.C.
Congressional Branch activities of interest
Floor Activity
The Senate is in session this week. The partial government shutdown continues. A compilation of agency contingency plans for the shutdown may be found here.
FY 2026 Appropriations
As the government shutdown continues, Democrats are holding firm on their demand to pair stopgap funding with an extension of healthcare subsidies while Republicans are set on passing a “clean” Continuing Resolution (CR). Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) continues to hold regular votes on the CR in the Senate to pressure Democratic senators, while House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has placed the House in recess. On October 11, the Pentagon announced plans to divert approximately $6.5 billion in unobligated research and development funds from the prior fiscal year to cover the costs of paying troops during the shutdown. This payment only covers active-duty military pay for October 1-15; the same issue will arise at the end of October if the government has not reopened.
FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act
On October 9 the Senate passed its version of the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Senate adopted several amendments, including the BIOSECURE Act, which would prevent federal agencies from using biotechnology from Chinese “companies of concern” or from contracting with U.S. companies using such biotechnology in performance of the contract. The House version of the NDAA, passed in September, includes the SAFE Research Act, which would prohibit all federal agencies from funding researchers who collaborate with "hostile foreign entities" or "foreign-adversary-controlled entities”.
The House and Senate will now move to reconcile their versions of the NDAA ahead of a final vote.
Bills Introduced
AI Warnings and Resources for Education (AWARE) Act (H.R. 5360)was introduced by Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN). The bill would direct the Federal Trade Commission to create resources for educators, parents, and minors on how to responsibly use AI chatbots. These resources would include guidance on privacy and data collection, as well as how to identify unsafe bots. Read the press release here.
The Marine Aquaculture Research and Advancement (MARA) Act(H.R. 5746) was introduced by Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS). The bill would establish research centers through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to improve aquaculture practices and environmental impacts. Read the press release here.
Executive Branch Activities of Interest
MIT, Brown Reject Trump Administration Compact
On October 10, MIT President Sally Kornbluth announced that MIT would reject the Trump administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.” In a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon, Kornbluth said that, while the university embraces many of the ideas and principles expressed in the compact, she believed other requirements would infringe on the university’s rights and its support for merit-based science. On October 15, Brown University President Christina Paxon also rejected the compact, writing in a letter that the Compact provisions restricting academic freedom and undermining autonomy would impede the University’s ability to fulfill its mission.
Judicial Branch Activities of Interest
Federal Court Vacates Department of Defense F&A Cap Policy
On October 15, a U.S. district court issued a final judgment in the Association of American Universities’ joint lawsuit, vacating the Department of Defense policy capping facilities and administrative (F&A) rates at 15%. The government has 60 days to file an appeal with the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals.